Raiders 2021 mock draft: Reshaping the defense in Vegas

Raiders mock draft: Round 1 Pick 17

The pick making the rounds on mock drafts lately is Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. However, the Raiders right now are set at linebacker under Bradley, as long as they re-sign Nicholas Morrow, this unit should be solid.

The biggest deficiency is the defensive line’s interior. Maliek Collins, Maurice Hurst Jr., and Johnathan Hankins aren’t long-term answers. Collins was a free-agent bust, Hurst has only shown glimpses of good play, and Hankins is a run-stopping enforcer. Picking up Christian Barmore makes too much sense and would be the most practical selection.

Barmore’s collegiate production is certainly noteworthy, especially the last two years with the Crimson Tide. He accrued ten sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, five passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

Pro Football Focus points highlighted Barmore’s pass-rushing prowess, grading it 91.5 for the 2020 season. Barmore is clearly a disruptive force in the backfield, breaking up not only passing plays but the run as well, PFF graded him 71.7 in that department.

At six-foot-five and coming in at 310 pounds, Barmore is the missing piece in what will need to be a formidable front four. Barmore has polished technique as a pass rusher as you can see in his film. His explosiveness is impressive as he breaks through blockers always looking to cause a turnover.

He dominated interior offensive linemen in the SEC which will translate into the NFL. The Raiders will need someone who collapses opposing pockets with his size and sheer strength, Barmore will do just that.