Raiders' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets

There's one big question surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders' plans for the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft: Will they be using it on a quarterback?

Derek Carr is now with the New Orleans Saints, so the Raiders will have a new starting QB this year. It's likely to be Jimmy Garoppolo, who signed a three-year, $72.75 million deal with Las Vegas, but the franchise could still have a longer-term future in mind with its draft strategy.

So, maybe the Raiders will still select a quarterback, or perhaps they use their top pick on a position of more immediate need. We'll find out Thursday, when the three-day 2023 NFL draft gets underway in Kansas City. Las Vegas owns 12 picks, so it will be active throughout.

Here's a look at several players the Raiders may want to consider targeting with their top selections in the draft.

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Quarterback Will Levis of Kentucky participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

If the Raiders decide to use the No. 7 overall pick on a quarterback, they'll have to wait to see how the board develops ahead of them.

It's quite possible Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson will all get taken before then.

Las Vegas could always decide to use its wealth of draft capital to trade up. But it could stay put and still land a potential franchise QB, such as Kentucky's Will Levis.

Although the 23-year-old would be the backup behind Garoppolo initially, he may benefit from sitting behind and learning from the two-time Super Bowl winner.

Levis has an impressive skill set, but he threw 23 interceptions in 24 games at Kentucky, so there may be a learning curve in the NFL.

The former Wildcats standout would likely be a great long-term project for the Raiders with high upside. They need to strongly consider taking him in the first round, even though they already brought in Garoppolo.

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) lines up for a play during the college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 15, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Las Vegas secondary was quite thin at the start of the offseason. The team then signed a trio of free-agent cornerbacks: Brandon Facyson, David Long and Duke Shelley. But none of those three are likely to provide huge upgrades to the unit.

That's why cornerback remains one of the Raiders' top needs heading into the draft. Fortunately for them, there are a lot of talented defensive backs in this year's class who could slot in nicely, with quite a few who could make immediate impacts in 2023.

At No. 7, Las Vegas should consider drafting Illinois' Devon Witherspoon. As ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. noted, if the Raiders "want a defender to help them in 2023, it's Witherspoon, who could immediately become their top guy."

Witherspoon would likely become one of Las Vegas' starting CBs right away, which means this could be the team's best short-term usage of its first-round draft pick. And if he keeps improving, the move would have long-term benefits as well.

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee of Clemson participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Let's make this clear first: the Raiders should not use the No. 7 overall pick on Bryan Bresee. He is a fringe first-rounder/second-rounder who will likely get drafted either late Thursday or early Friday.

Las Vegas should, however, be ready to take the Clemson defensive tackle if he's still on the board when the team is on the clock at No. 38 in the second round.

Even though Bresee had some injury concerns during his college career, ESPN's Matt Miller thinks the 21-year-old and the Raiders could be a good fit.

"He couldn't match his earlier career tape as he made his way back from injury," he wrote. "The Raiders, however, can afford to take a chance on his upside and bet on a healthy Bresee returning to form."

If that happens, then Las Vegas' defensive front would get a much-needed boost. But if Bresee has already been taken by the time the Raiders are on the clock at second time, they'll have to pivot and find another way to upgrade their D-line, which could use improvement.