2020 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders Draft Report Card

After a mediocre 7-9 season, Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders look to rebrand the Raider Way in Las Vegas with a trove of assets in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jon Gruden’s first season in his second coaching stint may not have been as successful as he had previously imagined, but Gruden will continue to bring his influence to the organization and apply the identity of Las Vegas to the Raiders’ franchise.

With a unique assortment of draft selections, highlighted by Clelin Ferrell and Josh Jacobs in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. These two selections were reaches at the time yet both panned out into key pieces in their respective units. Josh Jacobs is now the focal point of the Raiders’ offense and will spearhead their rushing attack.

The 2020 NFL Draft holds a variety of dynamic pieces to help on either side of the ball, and the Raiders made sure to take two of those players with their first-round picks. Similarly to the 2019 draft though, was the selection of two high-end talents that could be considered reaches for their draft position.

Between Ruggs going ahead of Lamb and Jeudy to Arnette going top-20, Mayock and Gruden have developed a reputation of looking for team fit and making sure they go out and get their guy.

Of the Raiders’ seven 2020 NFL Draft picks, all but one were either a wide receiver or cornerback. Five of those players are generally considered impressive athletes, and the only player to not be a workout warrior is a physical big-body receiver.

Gruden and Mayock have made a point of getting young, explosive and talented in the passing game. Derek Carr has had the ability to make the deep ball happen but just needed receiving help over the top. The secondary for Las Vegas is aging and needed an injection of youth even after free agency.