2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

The Las Vegas Raiders have actually put together a fairly solid roster. There aren’t a ton of glaring holes or needs that they need to fill. Derek Carr has played much better this season and the Raiders are right in the thick of the playoff hunt in the AFC.

One area where the Raiders have struggled a bit is up front stopping the run. Free-agent signing, Maliek Collins, did not pan out and Maurice Hurst can only do so much. Clelin Ferrell has played well this year and we know what Maxx Crosby is capable of, so I think this line is one solid piece away from being one of the best in the league.

While this pick may be considered reaching for a need at this point in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jay Tufele from USC makes a ton of sense for Las Vegas and would be a great complement to Hurst.

Unlike many defensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft class, Tufele really thrives when taking on blocks. He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty and can power through to make a play. He has strong hands to engage the blocker and move them aside to get to the ball carrier.

Tufele plays with a high motor and would bring a sort of Raider-like energy right away. He always plays to the whistle and never gives up on plays. While he doesn’t have quite the burst and slipperiness of a couple of other top defensive tackle prospects, Tufele’s toughness makes him the choice for the Raiders.

While his strength and power are his strong suits, Tufele can be evasive at times as well. Then once he is engaged with a blocker, his block shedding is tremendous. His ability to throw blockers aside to find the ball carrier is exactly what the Raiders are looking for here.