The Las Vegas Raiders’ draft class has received mixed reviews for Tom Telesco’s ‘best player available’ approach.
Not selecting a franchise quarterback for the 2024 season has been heavily criticised as Telesco revealed no available quarterback would improve the Raiders.
Former Miami Dolphins and Pro Bowl quarterback Ryan Tannehill could be acquired before the start of pre-season.
Despite the concerns, The Athletic have ranked the Raiders’ draft class as the 11th best in the NFL.
Round 1 – No. 13: Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Quarterback, cornerback and offensive tackle were much bigger needs for the Raiders and maybe should have been addressed with their first pick of the draft.
But Bowers is a steal for the Raiders at no. 13, considered the best tight end in the class and a top 10 pick.
The first two-time Mackey Award winner is a versatile pass-catcher, averaging 8.5 yards after-the-catch in Georgia.
Bowers ended his collegiate career with 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He has NFL star potential and is tipped to take the NFL by storm this season alongside last year’s second round pick Michael Mayer.
READ MORE: Raiders take Jackson Powers-Johnson in second round of 2024 NFL draft
Round 2 – No. 44: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Guard, Oregon
Lifelong Raiders fan Powers-Johnson projected to be a late first round/early second round pick is excellent value for the Raiders.
The All-American is the first Pac-12 player in history to win the Rimington Trophy.
Versatile across the offensive line, Powers-Johnson played 893 snaps at center, 430 snaps at right guard and 27 snaps at left guard during his time at Oregon.
He allowed only one QB pressure in 481 pass-blocking snaps in 2023 and didn’t allow a sack in three years as a Duck.
Round 3 – No. 77: Delmar Glaze, Offensive Tackle, Maryland
Versatility on the offensive line was the agenda for Telesco when he selected Glaze alongside Powers-Johnson in Day 2.
At 6ft 5ins, 328 pounds, one of Glaze’s biggest strengths is his length with a wingspan of over seven feet.
Glaze will be reunited with cornerback Jakorain Bennett. The former team-mates played together at Maryland for three seasons.
Expected to be selected in the fourth round, Glaze started 13 games at left tackle for the Terrapins.
Not expected to be an immediate starter for the Raiders, his size, strength and movement provide a solid foundation for development.
Round 4 – No. 112: Decamerion Richardson, Cornerback, Mississippi State
What Richardson lacks in ball production he makes up for in his speed and is an excellent run defender.
He ran a 4.34secs 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the third fastest in his position.
NFL Next Gen Stats awarded Richardson with the highest athleticism score of any cornerback in his class with 88.
Pro Football Focus also awarded the cornerback with a 90.3 tackling grade and 86.4 defensive grade.
Playing in a split-coverage scheme for the Bulldogs, his experience of different coverages will work well with Raiders defensive coordinator Partick Graham.
Round 5 – No. 148: Tommy Eichenberg, Linebacker, Ohio State
A two-time captain at Ohio State, Eichenberg who was expected to go in Day 3, excels in tackling and reading plays.
He recorded 268 tackles, 21 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, two interceptions and five pass deflections throughout his collegiate career.
In Ohio State’s victory against Utah, he was the 2022 Rose Ball Defensive MVP.
He was also named First-Team All-Big Ten Conference, First-Team All PFF and Second-Team AP All-American.
Eichenberg leaves Ohio an acclaimed linebacker and he was named the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year alongside other First-Team All-Big Ten Conference honours in 2023.
Round 6 – No. 208: Dylan Laube, Running Back, New Hampshire
Laube, one of the top FCS prospects in this draft class, is projected to be a kick and punt returner rather than a running back.
He was named CAA Special Teams Player of the Year with 31 yards per kick return and 11 yards punt returns in 2023.
The FCS All-American twice had punt return touchdowns for 92 and 58 yards.
As a running back, he averaged 1,500 all-purpose yards over four years and led the stats in 2022 and 2023.
He recorded 43 touchdowns in 46 games played for the Wildcats.
Round 7 – No. 223: Trey Taylor, Safety, Air Force
Taylor became the first defensive-back drafted out of the Air Force academy when the Raiders selected him.
The Jim Thorpe Award winner was the first Air Force academy recipient and also earned First-Team All-Mountain West honours.
His speed is a cause for concern but he moulds his game on his instincts and his ability to position himself.
He receives regular critiques from cousin and former NFL Hall of Famer, Ed Reed.
Round 8 – No. 229: M.J. Devonshire, Cornerback, Pittsburgh
Devonshire established himself as a starter for the Panthers following his transfer to Pittsburgh from Kentucky.
He was named Second-Team All-ACC in 2023 and recorded eight interceptions with three returned for touchdowns and 21 pass interceptions in three seasons.
At 5ft 11ins, 186 pounds, he relies on his athleticism and ran a 4.45secs 40-yard dash at the combine.
Devonshire was also utilised in special teams with 335 punt return yards and a return touchdown.
He was Second-Team All-ACC return specialist in 2022.
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