2021 NFL Draft: Raiders shock everyone with Alex Leatherwood pick

It was not a surprise to see the Las Vegas Raiders select an offensive lineman with the 17th pick, but it was a shock to see who they selected. Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood was drafted ahead of where most people had him projected and he was taken ahead of some offensive tackles that were thought to be better than he was.

Leatherwood came to Alabama as one of the highest-ranked offensive tackles coming out of high school and he did not disappoint once he stepped foot on campus. Leatherwood saw playing time almost immediately once he arrived in Tuscaloosa and he has helped anchor one of the best offensive lines in college football for the past three seasons.

There are some that think he could be a better fit at guard, but I think that Leatherwood could stay outside and be a solid player.

Grade: C+

I think that Leatherwood is a solid player overall, but picking him at 17th overall is a bit of a reach, considering who else was on the board. There were two guys on the offensive line that I think were much better than Leatherwood in Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw and Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins that would have been better picks.

Leatherwood was a prospect that I saw going in the mid-second round and I think he is a riskier prospect than the other two offensive linemen. I also think the Raiders missed out on some great defensive players like Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah or a pass rusher. This is a risky pick that has some downside for a team that needs offensive line and defensive help.