Raiders' Biggest Needs on Early 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 01: Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) blocks Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) in the second quarter of an SEC game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers on October 1, 2022 at Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After a 1-4 start to the year, it's fair to say the Las Vegas Raiders have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2022 NFL season.

The offseason gave Las Vegas plenty of reason for hope. From a new head coach and general manager to the acquisitions of Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, there was reason to believe the team could build off of a playoff appearance in 2021.

At this point, fans might already be looking to the 2023 offseason for hope.

There's still time for the Raiders to turn things around, but you'd be excused for taking a look at the upcoming draft class to see where they may find some answers to the questions that are plaguing the team right now. After all, they would have the No. 2 overall pick if the season ended today, per Tankathon.

With that in mind, here's a look at the three biggest needs Las Vegas should be looking to address in the draft and a few names to keep in mind.

Offensive Tackle

Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand Jones plays against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

The Raiders' issue at right tackle is a perfect example of how crucial it is to nail first-round draft picks.

Vegas has struggled at the position for the last two seasons, and it's one that should have been addressed when it took Alex Leatherwood with its first-round pick in 2021.

Now general manager Dave Ziegler is left cleaning up the mess left behind after the Mike Mayock era. Leatherwood was outright released from the team, and the Raiders are stuck with Jermaine Eluemunor at the position.

The veteran lineman might be a more natural guard and is currently ranked 67th of the 76 tackles ranked by PFF.

It should be a top priority for the Raiders to find someone who can man that right tackle spot. Ideally, it would be a player pro-ready enough to be serviceable as a rookie before developing into a cornerstone of the offensive line.

Kolton Miller is already great on the left side, so finding a bookend would be a huge step in the right direction for an offensive line that has improved in run blocking this season but still needs another tackle to be good.

Names to Watch: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern; Broderick Jones, Georgia; Dawand Jones, Ohio State

Edge-Rusher

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 17: Clemson Tigers defensive end Myles Murphy (98) during a college football game between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers on September 17, 2022, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It's only five games into Chandler Jones' time with the Raiders, but it's looking like the three-year, $51 million contract the Raiders gave him might have been one of the most colossal errors of the offseason.

The 32-year-old was supposed to be an upgrade over Yannick Ngakoue and form a dominant pass-rushing pair with Maxx Crosby, but we are still waiting to see Jones get his first sack in the Silver and Black, and the Raiders are 24th in pressure percentage as a team.

Crosby is an elite talent on the edge, but the Raiders have to find someone else who can pressure passers if they want to maximize his potential to wreck games. It's clearly not happening with Jones, and going back to the free-agent well is going to be too expensive.

One of the Raiders' early picks is going to need to be spent on a high-upside pass-rusher who can become Crosby's sidekick.

With Clelin Ferrell in his contract year, they at least need to find someone who can rotate as a rookie while developing into a complete edge defender.

Names to Watch: Will Anderson, Alabama; Myles Murphy, Clemson; Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame

Defensive Backs

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 08: Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) in a defensive stance during a college football game between the Auburn Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 8, 2022 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Raiders have some exciting young players in the secondary, but their group of corners and safeties could still use some punch.

Through five games, they have six defensive backs giving up a passer rating of over 100 when targeted. That group includes Amik Robertson, Trevon Moehrig and Nate Hobbs.

Overall, the Vegas secondary is surrendering the second-highest passer rating in the league right now.

Some of them are victims of small sample size, and the Raiders shouldn't be giving up on any of them, but it also means the team shouldn't just be satisfied with who they have.

With the proliferation of highly paid receivers, it has become even more vital to invest in the secondary. Cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Rock Ya-Sin are joined by safeties Duron Harmon, Jonathan Abram and Roderic Teamer as 2023 free agents.

The secondary could be overhauled next season, and that should include finding more prospects in the draft.

Names to Watch: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia; CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State; S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M; Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame