The Las Vegas Raiders have their sights set on a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, but the work won’t stop there. With a switch to a base 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, general manager John Spytek must find a true nose tackle among the team’s 10 draft selections to anchor the middle of the line.
The Raiders currently list Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker IV, Tonka Hemingway, Brodric Martin, and Treven Ma’ae at defensive tackle, but most project as defensive ends in the new scheme. Butler, 32 and injury-prone, could play some nose, and Pegues offers promise, but the roster lacks a pure space-eater.
Spytek can address the need as early as the second round, where Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald fits the bill. McDonald is immovable at the point of attack and elite against the run, though he’s still developing as a pass rusher. Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter is a similar prospect with a slightly lower grade. Georgia’s Christen Miller, Florida’s Caleb Banks, and Clemson’s Peter Woods (though better in a 4-3) are also in the mix.
Later-round options include Alabama’s Tim Keenan III, Mississippi’s Zxavian Harris, and Kentucky’s David Gusta. Harris has off-field concerns but high upside, while Keenan offers a high floor. The Raiders have nine picks after the first round to fill their defensive tackle void.
