NFL Mock Draft: Raiders Target CB in Third Round

The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot to think about in the upcoming NFL draft. With less than a month away, they have to figure out what positions they prioritize as well as which side of the ball they feel like they need to help out more.

Defense is definitely their strong suit but injuries ravaged them last year which led to their defense being underwhelming despite on paper having so much talent. They've done a lot in the off-season to improve their offense, but they still have a ways to go before they feel like Super Bowl contenders.

They're predicted, from many mock drafts and analysts, to lean on offense in the first round by drafting Ashton Jeanty. While this would work wonders for their offense, it does leave a lot to be desired for their defense.

They have leaders like Maxx Crosby on the defensive side of the ball, but if they get unlucky with injuries again, they don't have that much depth to rely on. This becomes abundantly more clear when considering they've lost significant players in the off-season like Jack Jones.

Ryan Wilson, sports writer for CBS Sports, recently released a three-round mock draft. For the Raiders, their first two rounds are used on offensive weapons to help out Geno Smith, and they don't address defense until the third round where they are predicted to draft Bilhal Kone, a cornerback prospect from Western Michigan University.

In his three years with the Western Michigan Broncos, Kone only had one interception and it happened in 2024. Alongside that lone interception, he had 70 total tackles and defended against eight passes.