2018 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first round after pro days, trades
Pick Analysis. Defensive Tackle. Washington. 10. 28. Scouting Report. Vita Vea. player
Needs: LB, DB, RB
Jon Gruden is the new head football coach of the Raiders and he is going to mold his defense the same way he had it at Tampa Bay when he won the Super Bowl with the Bucs. Those old Tampa 2 defenses ran by Monty Kiffin had Warren Sapp on the interior of the defensive line and the 2018 NFL Draft has another super athletic 300 plus pound tackle in Vita Vea.
A former Washington Huskie, Vea measured in at 6-foot-4 and 337 pounds but still posted a 5.1 in the 40 yard dash. That’s more Vince Wilfork than Warren Sapp but the main point is focusing the defense around the middle and Vea can be that focus.
The Raiders will also need help at defensive back, linebacker and running back but Gruden will try to build through the draft using the best players available and Vea is the best player at the tenth slot in the draft. Paul Guenther was known for his 4-3 defense with the Bengals and will need a true mike linebacker but Smith’s injury concerns have slid him down many draft boards. Vea will team well with the pass rush ability of Khalil Mack and Mario Edwards Jr.