Raiders select Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in latest Todd McShay mock

Marcus Mosher
·2 min read
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With the Raiders hired Gus Bradley this offseason to be their new defensive coordinator, the goal is to get faster on all three levels on defense. While this wasn’t a “slow” defense in 2020, it is a unit that could use several fresh faces, especially in the front seven.

That is why Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has become such a popular selection in mock drafts for the Raiders at No. 17. At 6’1, 215 pounds, Koramoah is expected to run in the low 4.4s at his Pro Day. And while his position in the NFL might be in question, his play speed and physicality are not.

In Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft at ESPN, he gave the Raiders “JOK” at pick No. 17. Here are the thoughts of Paul Gutierrez, ESPN’s beat writer for the Raiders, thoughts on his fit with the team:

“Owusu-Koramoah is the dynamic second-level defender that Las Vegas has been lacking. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will find a way to use his versatility in his 4-3 base scheme alongside Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton, even if Littleton and Owusu-Koramoah are both Will linebackers. It’s a good problem for Bradley to have.”

While Owusu-Koramoah projects as a weakside linebacker in the NFL, the Raiders do have a ton of money already invested into that position. It’s fair to wonder if that is the best allocation of resources as the team believes Bradley should be able to get Littleton to return to a Pro Bowl linebacker in 2021.

Nevertheless, expect Owusu-Koramoah to be in the conversation at No. 17 for the Raiders due to his outstanding speed. As we stand here on March 5, it does feel like the most likely pick for the Raiders in the first round.

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