Raiders' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets to Benefit Jimmy Garoppolo
After trying to run it back with a roster that made the 2021 playoffs, the Las Vegas Raiders are finally entering a rebuilding season. The biggest change head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler have made this offseason has been at quarterback.
Derek Carr is out, and Jimmy Garoppolo—who played under McDaniels with the New England Patriots—is in.
Garoppolo probably isn't viewed as the long-term answer at quarterback, however. He has an extensive injury history, and his presence hasn't prevented Las Vegas from examining this year's top quarterback prospects. Florida's Anthony Richardson, for example, met with the Raiders last week.
There's a very real chance that the Raiders draft a quarterback early, and if they don't, they may focus on improving a defense that ranked 28th overall last season. But what if the Raiders believe they can contend with Garoppolo—who has played in two NFC title games and one Super Bowl—and look to build around him instead?
That's a hypothetical exercise we're going to tackle here. Let's examine three prospects Las Vegas could target early in the draft to benefit their new signal-caller.
Peter Skoronski, IOL, Northwestern
1 of 3
The Raiders offensive line wasn't a disaster in 2022. It helped Josh Jacobs lead the league in rushing, and it surrendered only 35 sacks after allowing 40 the previous season. However, there is still room for improvement.
Rookie guard Dylan Parham was serviceable last season but was still responsible for five penalties and six sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor allowed only three sacks but was flagged 10 times, according to PFF.
If the Raiders want to build a better line for Garoppolo, Northwestern's Peter Skoronski could be the perfect Round 1 target. He's athletic, skilled and versatile enough to play on the edge or the interior.
"His best long-term fit as a pro remains a question, but there is no doubt that he has the physical traits, makeup and skill set to be an immediate starter at all five positions and an asset to any offensive line room in the NFL," Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
Skoronski is a prospect the Raiders could simply grab and find a role for later. He's the eighth-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's big board, which puts him right in line for Las Vegas and the seventh overall selection.
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
2 of 3
Along with Carr, the Raiders jettisoned starting tight end Darren Waller this offseason. He was sent to the New York Giants in a trade. Fellow tight end Foster Moreau has decided to step away from football after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma following a physical with the New Orleans Saints.
While Las Vegas signed O.J. Howard and Austin Hooper, both were signed to one-year deals and neither should preclude Las Vegas from dipping into this year's talented tight end pool early.
Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, the fifth-ranked prospect on the B/R board, could become a more permanent answer at the position in Las Vegas. He was simply spectacular in college, racking up 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns on 180 receptions in three seasons.
The 6'4", 249-pound prospect has all of the tools needed to become a quality all-around tight end at the next level. He's not especially fast (4.7-second 40-yard dash) and might not be the deep threat that Waller often was, but he can make the contested catch in traffic and provide value as an in-line blocker.
McDaniels frequently utilized multiple tight ends in New England, so there would be room for Mayer to contribute early, even with Howard and Hooper on the roster.
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
3 of 3
The Raiders have an elite running back in Jacobs, though it's certainly worth noting that he's currently set to play on the franchise tag and could potentially depart a year from now.
Even if Las Vegas reaches a long-term agreement with Jacobs, adding a top-end change-of-pace back would be far from the worst idea. Jacobs has logged 1,072 carries in his four seasons, and the Raiders would be wise to lighten his workload just a bit.
Texas A&M's Devon Achane would be a tremendous addition to Las Vegas' backfield. He's undersized at 5'8" and 188 pounds, but he's a terrific pass-catcher and a speedy (4.32-second 40-yard dash) home run hitter. He could impact games even with only a handful of touches.
"He has elite athletic ability, a smart running style and a complete profile as a third-down back," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Achane can fit into any run scheme or offense, he just needs to be paired with a bigger back to complement him and take off some of the workload as a runner."
Achane caught 65 passes in three seasons with the Aggies while averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. He's the 45th-ranked prospect on the B/R board and would be a logical target for the Raiders in Round 2.
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