Devon Witherspoon

Raiders Targeting CB With No. 7 Pick?

April 24th, 2023 at 9:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders have been mentioned in much of the speculation leading up to this week’s draft. Vegas has frequently been connected to selecting a quarterback with their top pick (seventh overall), but the team’s priorities could be headed in a different direction.

The team’s short-term future under center is set with Jimmy Garoppolo in place as a free agent addition. The 31-year-old is only due guaranteed money in 2023 and ’24, however, so it would come as little surprise if the Raiders added his successor in this year’s draft. The No. 7 pick could provide them with the opportunity to land one of the class’ top passers, and general manager Dave Ziegler recently confirmed that Garoppolo’s presence won’t preclude them from spending a premium pick at the position.

However, the Raiders are expected to focus on adding a cornerback in the first round, per ESPN’s Todd McShay. This group of prospects offers a number of options at the position, but two are widely considered to be in a tier of their own. Illinois alum Devon Witherspoon and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez are both likely to be in the top-10 mix, putting them squarely in the Raiders’ range. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated names the former as a player who has frequently been mentioned as a top candidate should the Raiders elect for a safe pick aimed at boosting their defense.

Vegas struggled against the pass in 2022 and recorded only six interceptions, meaning at least one impact addition in the draft (to supplement the relatively minor ones they have made so far in free agency) would come as no surprise. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe also lists CB as the position to watch for at No. 7, while NBC Sports’ Peter King has the Raiders taking Witherspoon in his mock draft.

While few around the league would be surprised if Vegas opted for Witherspoon or Gonzalez, they should have a few other high-end defensive options to choose from. One of those could be Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who is reportedly atop the Raiders’ draft board after an rocky pre-draft process. Carter is considered a top-10 lock, but he could find himself on the board at the seventh pick especially if a run on quarterbacks take place. That could leave a number of offensive linemen available as well, a position of need for Vegas heading into the draft. The likeliest outcome for their top pick, however, appears to be one which would give them a notable addition in the secondary.

NFC Draft Rumors: Bucs, Commanders, 49ers, Seahawks

April 15th, 2023 at 3:18pm CST by Ely Allen

Every year, pundits and analysts debate the value of drafting a running back in first round. The Buccaneers are the latest to enter into this forum as they are reportedly considering doing just that, according to Buccaneers staff writer/reporter Brianna Dix.

The player in question for Tampa Bay is Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Robinson is far and away the consensus top running back on the board. In three years with the Longhorns, Robinson totaled 3,410 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. While not his main mode of attack, he can hurt in the passing game as well, as evidenced by his 60 catches for 805 yards and eight touchdowns over his collegiate career.

No running backs were taken in the first round of last year’s draft, with Breece Hall being the first off the board in the second round, but two years ago, we saw two running backs taken on Day 1. Despite durability being a main cause of concern for rookie rushers, Najee Harris rewarded the Steelers with a league-leading 381 touches and a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie. Travis Etienne unfortunately had to sit out his rookie season, but his debut season with the Jaguars in 2022 was nearly as impressive as Harris’s rookie year, despite only starting 12 games.

Beyond last year, we’ve seen the Chiefs move past Clyde Edwards-Helaire in favor seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco. We’ve seen a first-team All-Pro honor for Josh Jacobs in Las Vegas. We’ve seen the rollercoasters of Saquon Barkley and Sony Michel‘s careers, as well as the disappointment of Rashaad Penny‘s. The debate continues on into 2023. There has certainly been both hits and misses with first-round running backs, but where will Robinson fall in that storyline?

Here are a few other draft rumors from around the NFC:

The Commanders have made it clear that they believe in second-year quarterback Sam Howell to take over the starting job in 2023, leading many to believe that taking a passer on Day 1 is off the table. According to ESPN’s John Keim, though, if a strong prospect like Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is still available in the second or third round, Washington may not be able to pass them up. For the first round, though, it appears that the team has done their homework on the 2023 NFL Draft’s batch of offensive linemen. Jordan Reid, also of ESPN, specifically mentions Ohio State tackle Dawand Jones as a name that has been linked to the Commanders.
The 49ers received a healthy amount of compensatory draft picks, including three third round picks. It’s a good thing, too, because without them, San Francisco’s first 2023 draft pick wouldn’t come until late in the fifth round. Surprisingly, despite needs at both offensive line and defensive back, Matt Miller of ESPN is hearing that the 49ers have done more work studying tight ends that any other team in the league. The team has lauded the depth of this year’s draft class, and Miller notes that this is a historically great tight end class. He mentions Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker, South Dakota’s Tucker Kraft, and Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz as potential options for San Francisco at the end of Day 2 who could end up working with George Kittle in the tight end room.
The Seahawks can go in a couple of different directions in the first round with both the No. 5 and 20 picks. They may keep their eyes on the available quarterbacks, if they fall in love with any, to sit for a year or so behind Geno Smith and Drew Lock. What Miller really sees them doing is taking advantage of a potential early run of quarterbacks to nab one of the draft’s top defensive linemen like Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia’s Jalen Carter. If they don’t like any of their options at defensive line either, Miller reports that Seattle is reportedly in love with Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

Raiders Targeting Defensive Upgrades, Meet With DE Tyree Wilson

April 14th, 2023 at 4:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reliable defenses have eluded the Raiders for most of this century. Last season marked the franchise’s 20th straight ranking in the bottom half in scoring defense. Patrick Graham‘s unit ranked 26th in points allowed and 27th in DVOA, making it logical to expect the AFC West franchise to seek help in the draft.

The team will do so, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore notes help will be sought on all three defensive levels. Although the Raiders have added a few pieces on defense, they have not devoted much money beyond the midlevel Marcus Epps contract. After the Davante Adams trade cost Las Vegas’ first- and second-round picks last year, the team should be expected to add defensive help early in this draft.

Substantial guarantees remain on Chandler Jones‘ deal, but after the former Cardinals All-Pro did not live up to expectations last season, Bonsignore adds the Raiders are eyeing edge help that would both prepare them for Jones’ departure — which could happen in 2024 — and give the veteran pass rusher more rest in 2023. The team met with Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson on Thursday, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.

Jones, 33, finished with just 4.5 sacks last season; three of those came in one game. His 2023 base salary and roster bonus represent a $16MM guarantee for the Silver and Black. Due to the void years tacked onto Jones’ three-year contract, it would cost the Raiders $7.2MM in dead money to cut him (without a post-June 1 designation, that is) in 2024. The Raiders signed ex-49er Jordan Willis as a backup but look to be targeting edge help. Both NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rate Wilson as a top-six player, but teams’ quarterback maneuvers could push him down to the Raiders at No. 7. Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness also sits as a possible edge upgrade for the Raiders, who have also done considerable homework on quarterbacks.

The Raiders have hosted each of the top quarterbacks available this year, including Hendon Hooker, but their defense may have too many needs for Josh McDaniels’ team — which already signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year deal that guarantees him $33.75MM — to take a quarterback in Round 1. Instead, cornerback looks like a strong consideration. The Raiders should be monitored for a corner at 7, Jordan Reid of ESPN.com notes. They hosted Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and Maryland’s Deonte Banks on visits, and Reid adds the team has also work on top corners Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) and Christian Gonzalez (Oregon). Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock sends Witherspoon to Vegas.

Robert Spillane (two years, $7MM) could be ticketed for a full-time role with the Raiders, being on the radar to wear the green dot signifying communication. The Raiders should be expected to look into this year’s linebacker class, per Bonsignore, but that will not happen until at least Round 2. On Day 2, Las Vegas holds the Nos. 38, 70 and 100 overall picks.

A Jalen Carter visit surfaced, with word of that meeting coming out shortly after a report indicated the Raiders would not consider the Georgia defensive tackle, and could be in position to select the high-risk proposition. But The Athletic’s Vic Tafur adds the Carter meeting has not yet transpired. The Bears (No. 9) and Eagles (No. 10) have both emerged as potential Carter landing spots, though the Seahawks (No. 5) have as well.

Commanders Host CB Devon Witherspoon

April 13th, 2023 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders will have a number of directions they can go in when they select 16th overall in this month’s draft. One of those would be a cornerback addition, something the team continues to look into.

Washington hosted former Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon on a top 30 visit, as noted (on Twitter) by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That makes them one of several teams which no doubt has Witherspoon on their first-round radar, considering the senior’s status as arguably the top member of this year’s class at the position.

Witherspoon was a four-year contributor for the Fighting Illini, making noteworthy plays in run defense as well as in the passing game. Witherspoon took off in the latter regard in 2021 when he posted nine pass breakups. He was able to replicate that success last season, where he posted 14 PBUs along with three interceptions and 41 tackles.

Those totals helped earn Witherspoon All-American honors, and cemented his place as one of the best cover men in a strong CB class in 2023. Most analysts have either Witherspoon or Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez listed as the No. 1 option at the position, with both squarely in contention to hear their names called in the top 10. While that would put them out of Washington’s range, the team is looking into an addition to their secondary with the top selection.

The Commanders either already have spoken to, or will meet with, corners Deonte Banks (Maryland) and Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State), as well as hybrid safety/corner Brian Branch (Alabama). Each of those three are likely to be on the board if they stay put at pick No. 16 and choose to add to a defense which ranked fourth against the pass in 2022. Washington registered only nine interceptions last year, however, which leaves a vacancy for a playmaker on the backend.

Witherspoon would certainly fit that description, and immediately compete for a starting role with Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste. Other teams in need of corner help sit ahead of Washington in the draft order, though, so significant interest in the build-up to the draft from around the league can be expected.