The Raiders have made a ton of investments into their linebacker corps over the last two years. They spent big money on two free-agent linebackers and proceeded to draft Tanner Muse and Divine Deablo in the third round in back-to-back drafts.
However, they could be in the linebacker market once again as both Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatoski could be released to save cap space. Neither player has lived up to their expectations and both fell out of favor with the previous coaching staff.
Their top linebacker in Denzel Perryman will return in 2022, but he will turn 30 next season. So could the Raiders use their top pick to find his long-term replacement?
In a recent mock draft by Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire, he had the Raiders selecting Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd in Round 1. Here is what he had to say about the possible marriage:
“This defense could use an infusion of young talent at multiple positions, so this pick is about finding the best value on that side of the ball. In this scenario, that means landing a three-down playmaker at linebacker. Lloyd has the prototypical size, athleticism and instincts to make a huge impact right away.”
Lloyd was an All-American in 2021 and was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year as he totaled 111 tackles and seven sacks. He also had four interceptions and two touchdowns this season as he was among the most dynamic defenders in the nation.
Lloyd, combined with Perryman and Deablo, would be among the most athletic linebacker units in the NFL. However, it feels very unlikely that Lloyd will fall to pick No. 22 as he might be one of the top eight or so players in the class.
Even with the Raiders having bigger needs at wide receiver and on the offensive line, Lloyd would be too good of a player to pass on if he were available at this spot. This feels like a dream scenario for the Raiders as Lloyd would be a Day 1 starter and leader for this defense.
