The host is going to miss the biggest stretch of the party when it comes to the 2022 NFL Draft. Barring a highly unlikely blockbuster trade, the Las Vegas Raiders will not make a pick on the first night of the draft, which consists exclusively of the first round.

The Raiders traded away both their first- and second-round picks to acquire superstar receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers last month. So as things currently stand, the Raiders won’t make their first selection until late Friday night with the 86th overall pick, in the third round.

The team holds four picks on the draft’s final day—a fourth-rounder, two fifth-rounders and a seventh-rounder—so the pressure is on new general manager Dave Ziegler and his staff to unearth immediately useful players with the five total selections.

That’s easier said than done with late-round picks, but it’s something past Raider front offices have done well. Three of Las Vegas’ current foundational players—edge rusher Maxx Crosby, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and cornerback Nate Hobbs—were all taken on the final day of the draft.

Las Vegas is set at the top of its roster, including at the glamour positions, but still has a lot of holes elsewhere. Here are the five spots where the Raiders need the most help and will likely attack in the draft.

It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint which players any team will target in the draft’s later rounds but some possibilities have been included, based on reported Raiders’ visits and Pro Football Focus’s ever-popular mock draft simulator.

Offensive line

Blocking was the Raiders’ biggest pitfall a year ago, and they haven’t done much to improve in that area this offseason. Center Andre James and left tackle Kolton Miller are proven difference-makers, but Las Vegas could use competition at any of the other three spots.

Potential Targets: Sean Rhyan, UCLA (third-round grade), Thayer Munford, Ohio State (fourth-round grade), Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina (fifth-round grade).

Linebacker

Las Vegas has a great starting point with Pro Bowler Denzel Perryman and last year’s rookie revelation Divine Deablo but lacks depth beyond those two. The Raiders need help on both the inside and outside, though All-Pro edge rushers Crosby and Chandler Jones will act as de facto outside linebackers at times in new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme.

Potential Targets: Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma (third-round grade), Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati (fourth-round grade), Nephi Sewell, Utah (fifth-round grade).

Defensive line

Las Vegas arguably had five starting-caliber interior defensive linemen last year but is now down to two—longtime Raider Johnathan Hankins and free-agent newcomer Bilal Nichols. Graham prefers bigger defensive tackles, so look for size to be a determining factor in Las Vegas’ selection(s).

Potential Targets: Matthew Butler, Tennessee (third-round grade), Neil Farrell Jr., LSU (fourth-round grade), Haskell Garrett, Ohio State (fifth-round grade).

Cornerback

Last year’s standout, Casey Hayward, departed for Atlanta in free agency, though the Raiders did snag a couple of potentially competent replacements in Rock Ya-Sin and Anthony Averett. Las Vegas isn’t in terrible shape with Hobbs and Trayvon Mullen also back, but Graham wants three cornerbacks on the field at almost all times, so it still needs some more depth.

Potential Targets: Marcus Jones, Houston (third-round grade), Cordale Flott, LSU (fourth-round grade), Mario Goodrich, Clemson (fifth-round grade).

Safety

Former second-round pick Tre’von Moehrig is entrenched at free safety after a terrific rookie season, but there’s a lot more uncertainty regarding how underperforming former first-round strong safety Johnathan Abram fits with the new staff. At the least, the Raiders might seek a cheaper, long-term option at strong safety to push Abram in training camp.

Potential Targets: Bryan Cook, Cincinnati (third-round grade), JT Woods, Baylor (fourth-round grade), Smoke Monday, Auburn (fifth-round grade).

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