Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock acknowledged Thursday that he was aware the selection of Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft would raise some eyebrows.
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mayock said of the pick: "We knew it would be controversial. We completely understand that."
Mayock went on to explain the rationale of the decision, saying:
"[Offensive line] Coach [Tom] Cable has been all over him for months now. [Head coach Jon] Gruden loved this guy.