7-Round Raiders Mock Draft: Vegas Stacks Roster In Hopes Of Making Super Bowl Run With Tom Brady

The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 7 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. It is popular to pick a quarterback in a Raiders mock draft, but this edition flips things on its head. Instead, we will assume that Tom Brady takes his talents to Sin City. What would a team built around TB12 look like?

Derek Carr is headed out the door soon; the only question is how. The nine-year veteran will likely garner interest on the trade market, but given the circumstances of his contract, that could be a difficult task to pull off. Releasing Carr remains an option, too.

However, this mock draft sends Derek Carr to the Carolina Panthers for a third-round pick. The third-rounder acquired from San Francisco in the Christian McCaffery trade, to be exact. The Raiders surely want more for Carr, but with such a short window to make a trade, plus Carr’s NTC, they’ll likely take what they can get.

7-Round Raiders Mock Draft: Vegas Stacks Roster In Hopes Of Attracting Tom Brady

With the added cap space, and the ties between the new regime and Tom Brady, Las Vegas sends an offer that The Goat cannot refuse. Now, armed with an entire arsenal of 2023 NFL Draft picks (plus an extra third-rounder), let’s stack the roster for a deep playoff run next season!

Round 1, Pick 7: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

If the Raiders are serious about adding Tom Brady and putting a contender around him, upgrading the offensive line should be priority No. 1. Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones are the ‘sexier’ picks on the offensive line, but Peter Skoronski is the best option for Las Vegas.

Skoronski is an instant-impact player for any franchise that drafts him. The Northwestern brawler brings a safe floor and positional versatility that NFL coaches salivate over. Skoronski would provide an upgrade at either guard position or right tackle from day one, with All-Pro potential wherever he lines up.

Round 2, Pick 39: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Raiders have become a ‘bust factory’ for many DBs over recent years. Taking another cornerback inside the top 40 might scare some folks in the fandom, but Devon Witherspoon brings top-of-the-depth-chart talent and a relentless work ethic to the cornerback position.

Witherspoon wins with physicality, both downfield in coverage and when pursuing the ball carrier in run support. The senior standout plays larger than his measurements would indicate. He can lay down some of the biggest hits in this class. If Witherspoon cuts out some wasted motion in coverage and eliminates penalties, he has superstar potential written all over him.

Round 3, Pick 71: Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC

The Raiders found something with Andrew Billings in 2023, but he will hit free agency in a couple of months. Assuming the front office retains Billings, that still leaves room for another starter on the interior.

USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu gets labeled as a ‘tweener’ by some, but he is powerful enough to hold up inside. The most intriguing part of Tuipulotu’s game is his ability to slide to the edge and consistently create mismatches for the opposing offensive line. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year would be a steal if he makes it to the middle of day two (as many currently still expect).

Round 3, Pick 93 (via CAR): Ji’Ayir Brown, SAF, Penn State

Tre’von Moehrig has shown enough to retain his starting role at safety in 2023, but the Raiders must add another quality starter alongside him. Ji’Ayir Brown is a ball-hawking safety that created turnovers at a break-neck pace with Penn State.

Double-digit interceptions and three forced fumbles since the start of 2021 confirm that. Impressively, Brown also sacked the quarterback 4.5 times in 2022, giving reason to believe he can line up deep or in the box as a pro.

Round 4, Pick 109: Zakhari Franklin, WR, UTSA

The Raiders have some fun weapons under contract in 2023, but if Tom Brady’s time in Tampa showed anything, you can never have too many pass-catchers around him. Zakhari Franklin has a great build for an NFL wide receiver. He tracks the ball downfield as well as anyone in this class and has elite body control when hauling in passes in traffic.

Franklin’s hands are strong, and he rarely drops a pass. The biggest reason for Franklin being available at No. 109 is the concern regarding his top-end speed. With the Raiders, the UTSA star wouldn’t take the top off of defenses, but he can give Brady a slightly less explosive Chris Godwin to work with.

Round 5, Pick 142: Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin

Adding Peter Skoronski earlier in the mock draft gives the Raiders a bookend of tackles on the offensive line. Dylan Parham should probably move to center this offseason, but by drafting Joe Tippmann here, Vegas has options on the interior. Tippmann can play center or guard in the NFL and provides a much better anchor than anyone who lined up inside in 2022.

Round 5, Pick 145 (via ATL): Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

Jake Haener followed the footsteps of Derek Carr by starring for the Fresno State Bulldogs in college. Haener continues the trend after being selected by Carr’s old NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders, in this mock draft.

Haener is a project at quarterback. He possesses above-average arm talent and is as passionate of a leader as you will find anywhere in the country. Haener needs to refine his technique by cleaning up his footwork, but what better place to do that than behind Tom Brady?

Round 5, Pick 174 (comp pick): Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah

Mohamoud Diabate is a former four-star recruit who transferred from Florida to Utah this past offseason. Diabate flexed his versatility, taking over the MLB position that 2022 first-round pick Devin Lloyd manned in 2021.

An athletic marvel, Diabate brings untapped potential in coverage and as an attacking linebacker off the edge. The Utah star is raw and still early in his development, but he can become a starter in the NFL if his rough edges are smoothed out.

Round 6, Pick 202 (via DAL): Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan

The Raiders will likely hit Josh Jacobs with the franchise tag to retain his talents in 2023 (and hopefully beyond). Even if Jacobs is brought back, the running back room needs more explosiveness added.

Lew Nichols III is an all-around running back. He excels between the tackles, using superb vision and patience to dice up defenses. Furthermore, Nicols served as a consistent check-down option in the passing game. Music to Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels.

Round 6, Pick 219 (comp pick): Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati

Every Raiders mock draft that I have completed features this selection. Josh Whyle is too perfect of a fit in the Josh McDaniels offense. He brings a big body, impressive hands, and improving technique as a blocker. Foster Moreau’s contract is expired, so a capable tight end behind Darren Waller is a necessity.

Round 7, Pick 222 (via ARI): Jayden Reed, WR/KR, Michigan State

The Raiders need a difference-maker in the return game. Jayden Reed is a burner who possesses the ability to leave opponents in his dust. Reed’s straight-line speed is impressive. His three career punt-return TDs would be a welcomed addition to the special teams unit.

Round 7, Pick 233 (via NE): DJ Dale, DL, Alabama

With the final pick of this mock draft, the Raiders add one more player to the trenches. Alabama’s DJ Dale has had tough injury luck in his career, but his talent is still worth taking a shot on this late in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dale will never be a star, but if he can stay healthy, he should have a long career as a rotational piece on the defensive line.