In a recent article by Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus, he took a look at all of the former five-star recruits in the 2023 NFL Draft. Typically, five-star recruits coming out of high school get drafted highly due to their top-end athleticism.
It’s worth noting that the list included linebacker Trenton Simpson (Clemson) who is widely viewed as a second-round pick in this year’s draft. And with the Raiders having a need at linebacker, he is someone who could be wearing the Silver and Black next season.
Here is what Chadwick had to say about Simpson, who could be a target at No. 38 for the Raiders:
Simpson was a backup linebacker in his freshman year and earned a 59.6 grade on 283 snaps. He became a starter as a sophomore and excelled as a blitzer. Simpson’s seven sacks, 30 pressures and 34.5% pressure rate were all top-five marks among all linebackers in the country during the 2021 season.
He was overshadowed this past season by a couple five-star sophomores in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter. Simpson ended up with a 68.7 grade in 2022.
The Raiders have to get faster at linebacker and Simpson certainly fits the mold. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at 235 pounds at the NFL Combine and can absolutely fly to the football.
If the Raiders are set on taking a linebacker in Round 2, Simpson would be the ideal target. But will he last to No. 38? That remains to be seen.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Raiders Wire…