Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Free Agency edition

Round 2, Pick 44: Washington QB Michael Penix

The Raiders need a quarterback, especially soon, as their roster is pretty nearly ready to be a contender outside of that one position and a few others. They need a guy who can turn around their franchise and be the face of it as soon as possible. But it's very likely that those players are only in the top three of the draft, so they may have to settle for a guy who can be good enough in the future.

That's where Penix comes in. He was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season and took his team to the National Championship. He has some of the best ball placement in the draft and is being slept on as an overall athlete, even though his recent pro day was astonishing with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 37-inch vertical. His strengths are what make him a very intriguing prospect.

Penix has huge hands and falls in the 94th percentile in hand size, which is good for handling the ball, gripping it, and not losing fumbles on sacks. He has a strong arm and is aggressive when pushing the ball downfield. Penix throws with enough velocity to hit deep posts between two high safeties, which you must be able to do in the NFL. He throws away from the coverage on back-shoulder fades and shows some flashes of elite ball placement, and maybe some of the best in the class. Penix also flashed the ability to avoid pressure, maneuver the pocket, and reset his launch point. Now, he does have some weaknesses, too, so don't think he is perfect.

Penix was a 6th-year Senior with a brutal injury history. He had four consecutive season-ending injuries. He had limited arm elasticity and struggled to make off-platform throws in the face of pressure. Penix needs to throw with a better touch over the middle of the field. He has a low release point, which resulted in some batted passes. Penix is inconsistent with his deep accuracy, missed high on a lot of throws, and left big plays on the field. He sometimes drifts backward in the pocket and creates easy angles for edge rushers.

The Raiders need a guy who can be the face of the franchise. Now, he has a ceiling of that, but he has a floor that is also very good for what the Raiders need.

Round 3, Pick 77: Houston OT Patrick Paul

With Jermaine Eluemunor hitting free agency and ultimately getting picked up by the New York Giants, the Raiders needed an offensive tackle. They have one in Thayer Munford, who was a seventh-round pick a few years ago. While Munford was good at times, there was a lot left to be desired. He is raw and can be good, but it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and draft another tackle.

That's what I have the Raiders doing with their third-round pick. We know they will draft at least one offensive lineman because they need more guys to fill out their depth chart, but taking one in the third round gives you the ability to have the same situation you did last season with Eluemunor and Munford, as one played swing tackle in jumbo sets, and one filled in if Kolton Miller was out.

Paul is great, and whether he makes it to the third round is a whole other story. he has the potential to be really, really good, but the technical side of things still needs to be refined. In 2023, he had 11 quarterback hurries, four quarterback hits, and three sacks allowed. While those numbers aren't other-worldly, they are good enough to show the potential you have, especially when you are playing in the Big 12.

If the third round rolls around and the Raiders still haven't taken an offensive tackle, and Paul is there, I'd expect them to take him. He is a guy that a team like the Raiders should not pass on in the third round. 

Round 4, Pick 112: Boston College OG Christian Mahogany

The Las Vegas Raiders need an offensive guard still. They picked up Greg Van Roten last offseason, and he played well in the pass game. However, it would appear the team has no plans of bringing him back for the 2024 season. We have talked about three veteran guards out there that they can still bring back for this season, but if they decide not to, which I think they won't bring any in, then they should draft a guard.

They just re-signed Jordan Meredith to the roster, and he is fine. However, there is more work to be done, and I think they can get someone better than Meredith in the fourth round. His name is Christian Mahogany, and you won't forget it - mainly because it's a pretty cool name and because when you see how big and physical he is at the position, well, you will be pretty impressed.

Mahogany has had top-30 visits with several teams, but there is a reason he is projected to go in the fourth round on a lot of big boards, including ours. Despite not allowing a sack last season, Mahogany has had injury issues that have held him back on draft boards.

If it were up to me, I'd say the Raiders take a chance on him; develop him, and have an elite offensive line for years to come with Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Andre James, Christian Mahogany, and Patrick Paul. In fact, it's the perfect idea.

Round 5, Pick 148: Miami DT Leonard Taylor

Even after signing Christian Wilkins, the Raiders could use some help on the defensive tackle side of things for their future. They have some fairly decent veterans there, some that they brought back, but at some point you have to build the position up to where you aren't just grabbing veterans on one year deals every year.

That's why I have them going with a defensive tackle in round five, and Leonard Taylor is a really good one who is likely being slept on. Taylor is A to Z Sports' 116th prospect and our 12th defensive tackle on the big board. He has some really good strengths that can translate to the pro level, and his NFL comp is a guy who used to play with the Raiders in Bilal Nichols.

Taylor jolts out of his stance with an explosive first step and has the length to establish first contact and gain early control. He steers and disengages from blocks with a violent push-pull, and has the twitch and foot-quickness to win with cross-face moves. Taylor was also playing out of position at Miami, where 59% of snaps were in the A-gap, so if he is put in the right position in the pros, he could be better.

He is someone I would love for the Raiders to take a shot at in this draft, especially because he is a raw prospect that can be developed into something good. 

Round 6, Pick 208: Auburn CB Jaylin Simpson

Yes, we took a cornerback in round one with Terrion Arnold. However, it's pretty obvious that the Raiders need more help in the secondary than just one guy. And why not get one that you see has the potential to be a good role player? They lost Amik Robertson to the Detroit Lions this offseason, and now they need a guy to play as the depth cornerback, especially with Brandon Facyson having an injury history,

Simpson doesn't have elite traits by any means, but that doesn't mean he can't be an elite player. We have seen players drafted lower, or go undrafted, than the sixth round, and it worked out. Simpson is a guy who has the tools to help in year one, whether that's on special teams or coming in for a play or two and not giving up a deep ball. He can be of help to the Raiders.

He finished his career at Auburn with 48 games played, 116 total tackles, seven interceptions, and 21 passes deflected.

Round 7, Picks 223 & 229: New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube & FSU LB Tatum Bethune

The Las Vegas Raiders have two picks in the seventh round and really only have two more needs we haven't touched on. As for the RB position, the Raiders need depth behind Mattinson, White, and Abdullah. Why not take a guy like Laube, who many think is only as low as he is because he played at such a small school? Laube finished his college career with 749 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 699 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns, and one kick returned for a touchdown.

The Raiders need some LB depth to add to the team, but it's not a must-have. They can grab a guy like Bethune, who played a key role on an elite FSU defense last year; Bethune finished his college career with 339 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions.