Unless the Las Vegas Raiders feel good about their choices in free agency, they will enter the NFL Draft with a major need at the quarterback position. Unfortunately, most mock drafts have the class' top two quarterbacks - Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders - as top-five selections, and Las Vegas is not on the clock until No. 6.
However, the sentiment that Sanders may drop in the draft has been picking up steam since the scouting combine ended. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com even predicted in his latest mock draft that although the Colorado quarterback may be available for the Raiders, the team could still pass on him in favor of Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker.
"With Tom Brady in the mix, look for the Raiders to start targeting prospects known for leadership and a love of ball -- guys like Walker," wrote Zierlein.
While adding another pass rusher may seem like a waste of a pick for Las Vegas, the room could actually be pretty thin depending on how the free agency period shakes out. Malcolm Koonce and K'Lavon Chaisson are both set to test the market this offseason and if one or both leave, then Maxx Crosby would not have a reliable edge rusher opposite of him.
Walker spent three seasons as a Georgia Bulldog and recorded 12.5 career sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 43 games. His draft stock has been rising since the combine as Walker was given the third-highest overall grade at his position.
He just turned 21 years old at the end of February, so he is one of the youngest prospects in the class and has plenty of room to grow. New general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll have both emphasized their desire to build through the trenches and drafting Walker would align with that philosophy, even if it means no quarterback in round one.
