We are just over a month away from the 2024 NFL Draft and the first round is starting to become a little clearer. The expectation is that four quarterbacks will be drafted within the top five selections. And while the Raiders would love to move up and acquire a top-five pick, that just doesn’t seem all that likely.
Instead, the Raiders are likely to hang back at pick No. 13 and upgrade their offensive line. But which offensive lineman would make the most sense for Las Vegas?
In a recent mock draft by Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, he had the Raiders selecting JC Latham from Alabama in Round 1. Here is a snippet of what Kiper thinks about the player and his fit in Las Vegas:
Latham started 27 games at the position in college, surrendering just two sacks and 16 total pressures. He can also dominate in the run game with his 6-foot-6, 342-pound frame. Las Vegas is remaking its run game without back Josh Jacobs, who signed with Green Bay, and Latham could be an integral part of its rebuild. The Raiders ranked 28th in yards per rush attempt (3.7) last season.
Raiders fans might be scared off by the prospect of drafting another Alabama offensive lineman in Round 1, but Latham is a much better prospect than Alex Leatherwood. And with Antonio Pierce wanting to get more physical on the offensive line, Latham does make a lot of sense.
The expectation is that Latham will start at right tackle, but he does have the position flexibility to play guard if needed. Look for Latham to be on the short list of names the Raiders consider in Round 1.
