Raiders' Top Options With No. 7 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders' season mercifully came to an end after a 31-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the season finale on Saturday.

While a 6-11 record was not what anyone was hoping for when the team made some big moves this offseason, it at least netted them the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL draft.

It's the Raiders' first real chance at getting a blue-chip prospect with general manager Dave Ziegler at the helm. Last year, they traded both their first- and second-round picks to acquire Davante Adams.

Getting this draft right is going to be crucial for the franchise moving forward. The last time it picked this early, it took Clelin Ferrell and followed it up by taking Johnathan Abram and Josh Jacobs with additional first-round selections.

Ferrell has not lived up to expectations, and Abram is no longer on the roster.

If Ziegler is to get off on the right foot with his first full draft in Vegas, these are the top options to consider with the seventh overall pick.

QB Will Levis, Kentucky

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 05: Will Levis #7 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)

The Derek Carr era appears to be over in Las Vegas. The team decided to bench the quarterback over the final two weeks of the season, and they would only have to pay him $5.6 million if they were to cut him.

There will certainly be veteran options to replace the 31-year-old. But if the Raiders prefer to utilize the draft to find his replacement, then Will Levis is the name to watch at No. 7.

The 6'3", 232-pound signal-caller has the prototypical size and arm talent to thrive in the NFL.

C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Bryce Young of Alabama are the top two QB prospects, but neither figures to be available at No. 7. It will require a trade-up if that's who the Raiders want.

Levis put himself on the draft radar with a strong junior year at Kentucky in 2021. Working with Liam Coen (who was the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator in 2022) and a solid offensive line, he posted 24 touchdowns to 13 interceptions and 2,826 yards.

His production (and stock) dropped a bit in 2022. The 23-year-old threw 18 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, but the tools are still there for him to develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback.

Placing him in an offense with Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller would certainly help cultivate that talent.

DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) rushes the quarterback after getting into he backfield during the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Clemson Tigers on Friday, December 20, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If it weren't for injuries, we'd be having a real conversation about whether Bryan Bresee or Jalen Carter is the best interior defender in this class. That's saying something because the latter could be the No. 1 pick.

As it stands, Bresee should be the second defensive tackle off the board. At 6'5", 305 pounds, he is the size of a jumbo edge defender and has the pass-rushing chops to match.

The 21-year-old posted three sacks, 17 hurries and four quarterback hits while lining up primarily in the B-gap in 10 games this season, per PFF.

There is a fair amount of projection for Bresee moving forward. He has missed 13 games with various injuries and ailments. That's not only a concern from a durability perspective, but it has also likely contributed to the fact that he hasn't been as productive as he should have been.

Still, the Clemson product is a former 5-star prospect with the kind of size and explosiveness rarely seen at the position.

He could be the missing piece along the defensive front for the Raiders. Maxx Crosby needs reinforcements in the pass rush. An interior rusher like Bresee commands double teams, which would free up the defensive end to have an even bigger impact.

Having a front four that can win and put pressure on the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert gives the Raiders a good shot to compete in the AFC West.

CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 05: Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on the field in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Raiders took some shots on young talents at cornerback last offseason. They signed Anthony Averett and traded for Rock Ya-Sin, but injuries kept them from showing what they can really do.

Regardless, the Raiders gave up the highest passer rating in the league and had a league-low six interceptions. If they are going to take the next step as a defense, they will have to be better on the back end.

Drafting a talent such as Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback would be a step in the right direction.

The Penn State product is a big, physical cornerback at 6'2", 194 pounds. According to PFF, he gave up just a 50 percent completion percentage and a passer rating of 63.6 in his final season with the Nittany Lions.

Porter plays an aggressive brand of football and has an edge to him that would go a long way in transforming the Raiders' defense.

With Averett's contract set to expire and the pass defense being a primary source of concern, it would make sense that Las Vegas considers one of the top corners in the class to get back on track.