Las Vegas Raiders Fix Epic Mistake in 2021 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders made a gigantic mistake in the 2021 NFL Draft, as the team selected Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick.

The 25-year-old was expected to be Las Vegas’ long-term answer at right tackle, but he was moved to guard. He struggled at both spots during his rookie campaign, allowing eight sacks and 65 QB pressures in 708 pass-blocking snaps.

After a dreadful rookie season and poor performances during training camp and the preseason in 2022, Leatherwood was released after just one season with the team.

The 6-foot-5, 312-pound offensive lineman spent time with the Bears and Browns over the past two seasons and most recently signed with the Chargers on May 29.

The Raiders’ decision to pick Leatherwood in the draft can never be corrected, but Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team did in his 2021 NFL Draft, where he had Las Vegas select the former edge rusher from UCLA and current Miami Dolphins Jaelan Phillips with the 17th pick instead of Leatherwood.

Here’s what Mosher had to say about the revamped Silver and Black selection:

It’s a shame that Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles tendon late in the 2023 season just as he was on his way to stardom in Miami. Phillips has 22.0 sacks in 26 career starts (42 games) and is among the league’s best pure passers.

Pairing him with Maxx Crosby would keep AFC offensive coordinators up at night.

Despite suffering a season-ending injury in 2023, Jaelan Phillips is one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL.

The 25-year-old was on pace to have a career year last season, totaling seven sacks and 27 QB pressures in just eight games. Phillips also had a dominant 2022 campaign, posting seven sacks and 70 QB pressures with an 89.8 pass-rush rating.

The Raiders had a chance to build a dynamic duo with Maxx Crosby and Jaelan Phillips, but botched it by selecting Alex Leatherwood, who didn’t even last two seasons in Las Vegas.