NEWSLETTER
The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Las Vegas Raiders have a new crop of rookies ready to prove themselves in the silver and black. General Manager Tom Telesco and his staff prioritized both offensive firepower and defensive upgrades, aiming to build a well-rounded team poised to make a playoff push. Let’s dive into the Raiders’ 2024 draft class, grade them, and see how these young players could impact the upcoming season.
Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft Grade: C+
With the ink drying on the 2024 NFL Draft contracts, the Las Vegas Raiders have a fresh batch of rookies eager to prove their worth. Led by General Manager Tom Telesco’s strategic vision, the draft haul addressed both offensive firepower and defensive deficiencies. Many thought the Raiders were targeting one of the many first-round tackles or a high-end cornerback with their first pick. This was probably the case until Brock Bowers fell into their laps.
Bowers is an every-down tight end with elite potential and simply too good to pass on for the Raiders. They were then able to take Jackson Powers-Johnson who’ll compete for a starting guard spot. Beyond these two picks, the Raiders drafted for upside and filled their most pressing needs in the process. That said, the “best player” approach hurts their grade because they passed on immediate starters at much more important positions. Overall, we give them a C+ for their efforts.
| Draft Pick | Selection |
|---|---|
| Rd 1 – pick 13 | Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia |
| Rd 2 – pick 44 | Jackson Powers-Johnson, G – Oregon |
| Rd 3 – Pick 77 | DJ Glaze, T – Maryland |
| Rd 4 – pick 112 | Decamerion Richardson, CB – Mississippi State |
| Rd 5 – pick 148 | Tommy Eichenberg, LB – Ohio State |
| Rd 6 – pick 208 | Dylan Laube, RB – New Hampshire |
| Rd 7 – pick 223 | Trey Taylor, S – Air Force |
| Rd 7 – pick 229 | MJ Devonshire, CB – Pittsburgh |
Raiders Prioritize Offense in Round 1
The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off their draft with a splash, grabbing Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick. Bowers, a consensus All-American, is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He can line up as a traditional tight end and overpower defenders in the running game but also possesses the speed and route-running ability to be a legitimate receiving threat. Adding Bowers to a receiving corps already featuring Davante Adams gives whoever is playing quarterback a nice one-two threat.
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Shoring Up the Trenches
The Raiders beefed up the offensive line, grabbing two potential starters with their next two picks. In the second round, they drafted guard Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon. Powers-Johnson is a mauler in the run game and should provide immediate help bolstering the interior of the line. In the third round, they selected offensive tackle Delmar Glaze out of Maryland. Glaze is a raw prospect with impressive size and athleticism. He’ll need some development but has the potential to become a long-term starter at tackle.
Defense Gets Bolstered Too
While the focus was on offense early, the Raiders didn’t forget about the other side of the ball. In the fourth round, they drafted cornerback Decamerion Richardson from Mississippi State. Richardson is a physical corner with good length and tackling ability. He’ll add competition to the Raiders’ secondary and could quickly find significant playing time.
With their next pick in the fifth round, they added linebacker Tommy Eichenberg from Ohio State. With their final two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft in the seventh round, Las Vegas took Trey Taylor from Air Force and cornerback MJ Devonshire out of Pittsburgh. These selections provide depth and potential future starters for a defense that showed signs of dominance in 2023.
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Overall Assessment: A Well-Rounded High-Upside Approach
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 draft class is a mix of immediate contributors and intriguing long-term prospects. By addressing offensive firepower and offensive line woes in the early rounds, the Raiders have taken significant strides towards a more balanced offense. While the jury is still out on how quickly the rookies will adapt to the NFL, this draft has the potential to be a turning point for the Raiders, propelling them toward a return to the playoffs.
