Silver Minings: Mel Kiper taps offensive lineman and safety to Raiders in 2-round mock draft

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has released his latest 2021 NFL draft mock — and this time the two-round draft includes trades.

Kiper didn’t cook up any deals involving the Las Vegas Raiders, however. He stuck with No. 17 in the first round and No. 48 in the second round for the Silver and Black. In the first round, Kiper predicted USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker for the Raiders. In the second round, Kiper has the Raiders taking Central Florida safety Richie Grant.

Vera-Tucker was also my choice at No. 17 and Grant was my pick at No. 48 in my first Raiders’ full mock draft, which we published Monday.

Are me and Kiper on the right track ... or are we both nuts?

We will find out soon enough, but, there’s no doubt, both Vera-Tucker and Grant would fill needs for the Raiders.

In other Raiders’ links:

• Draft special: The Athletic has a full Raiders’ draft preview.
• The underrated: Here is a look at underrated draft prospects at each position. I bet, at least, one of these players ends up with the Raiders.
• Derek Carr the hooper? NFL Total Access sure thinks so.