2020 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders Draft Report Card
By Ian Higgins
Round 4
Clemson. G. John Simpson. 109. player. . Combine Results. 28
Gruden and the Raiders organization continue to keep their faith in the Clemson program with the selection of guard John Simpson. He’s a big guard at 6-foot-4, 321 pounds with long arms to reach edge defenders when pulling out to the edge. Simpson is not the most explosive athlete but posted 34 reps in the bench press at the NFL combine and looks to translate his strong run blocking and mauling style of play to the next level.
Las Vegas’ current starting guards are Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson, and Simpson will likely be competing with Incognito for his position at left guard. Both strong run blockers who can physically dominate at the point of attack, Simpson will lead the way for Josh Jacobs in the future. Incognito only has two years left on his contract with an option for 2021, meaning Simpson can have a year as a backup guard on the roster improving his interior pass protection.
With a running-based offense that utilizes power over speed, Simpson is an interior mauler who will complement their current offensive system with his power and run blocking. Gruden will also now have the chance to scheme more plays with a pulling guard now that Simpson will be filling into the left guard spot (eventually).
Grade: B
Combine Results. Pick Analysis. CB. 28. Louisiana Tech. Amik Robertson. 139. player
Another cornerback, taken to complement first-round selection, Damon Arnette. Amik Robertson only measures in at 5-foot-8, 183 pounds but clocked a 4.45 forty time at his pro day, Robertson is an aggressive cornerback who can make up for a lack of size with a feisty style of play reminiscent of Tyrann Mathieu.
From undercutting balls thrown outside to laying big hits around the line of scrimmage, Robertson displays some of the same strengths at the “Honey Badger” from the cornerback position.
Even though Robertson can compete with bigger receivers, he still can’t make up for eight inches of height against some of the biggest receivers in the NFL. After drafting both Arnette and Robertson, Gruden is clearly valuing aggressive cornerbacks who can tackle on the edge and create momentum-swinging plays.
A man defense secondary with receivers being shadowed appears to be the plan for Las Vegas’ secondary. Robertson will likely find himself as the slot corner for the Raider’s defense and could be used in other situations sliding out to the boundary or back to strong safety in specific sub-packages.
dark. Next. Grading each first-round 2020 Draft pick
Robertson will have a chance to be another iteration of the aggressive secondary players that have swept across the NFL (ex: Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, etc). Getting Robertson in the fourth round is a great selection for this secondary that should cement a mentality of this defensive backfield.