2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection
18. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Since the beginning of October, the Las Vegas Raiders have had a rough couple of weeks. They have dealt with a lot this season including letting go of head coach Jon Gruden and both 2020 first-round picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette for off-the-field issues. It is very likely this offseason that Raiders owner Mark Davis decides to blow it up letting go of general manager Mike Mayock and start to retool this roster centered around Derek Carr. This team will have a lot of needs at the beginning of the offseason.
Originally it appeared that Las Vegas needed to upgrade their offensive line and defensive tackle positions. Now they need to replace both Arnette and Ruggs who were both expected to be a large part of the team’s future. The first priority for Las Vegas this offseason should be replacing Ruggs. Since the Raiders have let go of Ruggs this offense has not looked right. Derek Carr failed to throw for 300+ yards in three of his last four games after doing so in five of the seven games Ruggs played this season. Even though Ruggs was not a huge difference-maker like many of the other receivers that came out of the 2020 draft class, his presence and ability to stretch the field has been missed by the Raiders.
This draft class has a couple of receivers who are vertical threats that could fill this void. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Las Vegas lands the preseason consensus number one receiver Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave. At this point of the college football season and pre-draft process Olave is still considered a favorite to be the first drafted this year. It will likely either be Olave or his Ohio State teammate Wilson.
Similar to his teammate Wilson, Chris Olave is a deep threat who is also a great route runner. He may not have Ruggs’ speed but has the ability to create separation both by the line of scrimmage and downfield. If Las Vegas added a player like Olave to their offense they would be adding not only a player that could fill Ruggs’ role as the vertical deep threat but also arguably upgrade what they were getting from their top outside receiver this season. Olave could be stiff competition for Hunter Renfrow to receiver the second-most targets on the team after Darren Waller.