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Las Vegas Raiders land impact rookie starters in 2021 mock draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Who will Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders target in the 2021 NFL Draft? (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Who will Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders target in the 2021 NFL Draft? (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /
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2021 NFL Draft, Tyree Gillespie, Las Vegas Raiders
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: Safety Tyree Gillespie #3 from Missouri of the American Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Although they have 2019 first-round pick Johnathan Abram and former first-round pick Karl Joseph now back in the fold, the Las Vegas Raiders could still be seeking upgrades at the safety position.

There are not a bunch of players being considered as first-round options in this class, but there could be some really great value on day two.

That’s why in this scenario, the Raiders trade their fourth and two fifth-round picks to move up into the back end of round three to snag the speedy Tyree Gillespie out of Missouri.

While Abram and Joseph are more known for their attacking style of play, Gillespie brings range, speed, and reactive quickness on the back end.

The Raiders sent defensive backs coach Ron Milus to watch the prospects at Missouri (the Tigers have two safeties in Gillespie and Joshuah Bledsoe that will be drafted this year) and Gillespie put on a show with his big-time speed.

Adding this guy to the back end of the secondary will allow the Raiders to be aggressive in front of him, and he can take advantage by using his speed and quickness to react and make plays on the ball.

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