Las Vegas Raiders Draft Analysis For The Average Fan

The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and the Las Vegas Raiders have added some talented players to help the team achieve greatness! I feel like we never get a real analysis of these types of things for the everyday person who doesn't follow as closely as some of us. So, this guide will help you understand what type of players the team drafted and how they might be used going forward.

Round 1, Pick 13) Brock Bowers Tight End University of Georgia

Height: 6'4 ft Weight: 230 lbs.

This was a surprise, in all honesty, especially because the team drafted a tight end last year in the second round (Michael Mayer). But our front office decided to take the best available player at the time, mainly because no one thought he would last this long. Don't be upset, though, because from what I can see, Bowers will be used all over the field.

While Bowers was at Georgia, he was used all over the field and played multiple positions for the Bulldogs. Expect him to line up like a traditional tight end, in the slot position as a receiver, on the outside while in the red zone for one-on-one matchups, and he has even run the ball before, so he can do it all (excluding QB). There is plenty of film on YouTube showing Bowers playing all over the field, and whenever he got the ball, good things happened.

He won two national championships and also won the John Mackey Award back-to-back, which has never been done. The Raiders always like to bring in guys who win awards, right? Unlike most times, I believe this guy will be a difference-maker on the team, but don't be upset if it doesn't happen immediately.

Tight ends are notoriously slow to get going in the beginning, but of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, like Rob Gronkowski. A great example of that would be Travis Kelce; he took a few years to get his stride, and now, well, I guess you could say he's the best in the league (but it's tough for me to say).

Overall, the Raiders have brought in a playmaker who can do different things from a traditional tight end. He will be more of a Swiss army knife-type player; he can do almost anything in the passing game! I don't want to say anything bad about him because he is an elite prospect, but I'm sure the Raiders will help him with his blocking (probably the only thing he doesn't do great). Besides that, this guy will be special in silver and black!!

Round 2, Pick 44) Jackson Powers-Johnson Offensive Guard University of Oregon

Height: 6'3 ft Weight: 334 lbs

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting your future starting right guard! The Raiders did a fantastic job with this pick and addressed something they clearly need. Stability at the right guard position has been extremely tough to fill since Gabe Jackson was traded away to the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, a veteran journeyman has stepped in each season, and it has been the Raiders' weakest link on the offensive line.

Jackson-Powers is a versatile offensive lineman who can play either guard or center. He won the 2023 Rimington Award for the NCAA's most outstanding center, and he was the first Pac-12 lineman to ever do it. The one thing he does better than most is protecting the quarterback; we all know the team has always had trouble with that. I'm not exactly sure, but I did read that he allowed zero sacks

This was another very good pick by the Raiders, to some he was the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. Some even project him to be a first-round pick, but those rankings are most of the time for our entertainment. But overall, as a fanbase, we should be very excited to bring in Powers-Johnson!

Round 3, Pick 77) DJ Glaze Offensive Tackle University of Maryland

Height: 6'4 ft Weight: 323 lbs.

Glaze is a pick that could be defined as boom or bust. Some fans like the pick and think of it as a "reach." Honestly I don't know what to think of the pick, he has numbers that look pretty good. But that damn ranking system hurts us again because he was projected to go later than he was Selec

Frankly, those ranking systems are for our entertainment, and it works because it seems to be an arguing point for many fans (including me at times). But I trust both Pierce and Telesco to bring in the guys they want, and Glaze does have the potential to be a starter. The right tackle position may have Thayer Munford Jr's name on it, but that's why pencils have erasers.

Glaze has one thing that some don't: a really long wingspan, which is huge for any offensive tackle going against the best in the NFL. So I could see some potential in Glaze, and he should be used like Munford Jr was. Bring him in for different running formations, play action decoy, and maybe even run a route or two. But let him learn and give him a shot to start in 2 or so years, and you will know exactly what you're getting because you taught it.

Great job! Glaze is one of those picks you won't hear about for a couple of years, but when you do, it'll either be a release or a promotion. Hopefully, he's one of those special guys who can come right out and start. It's all in his hands now; he just has to put in the work!

Round 4, Pick 112) Decamerion Richardson Cornerback Mississippi State University

Height: 6'2 ft Weight: 195 lbs.

Richardson is a tall defensive back who played his career against the best receivers in college in the SEC. He is also a Raider-type player because he is fast; he's actually very fast, recording a 4.34 40-yard dash. So, he's a tall defensive back with a ton of speed. I think Coach Antonio Pierce will enjoy coaching this player.

The one characteristic of his play that I believe made Antonio Pierce take note is his tackling ability. Richardson has recorded 75+ tackles in the last 2 seasons. In fact, he led the SEC in tackles by a cornerback in both of those seasons. So, he's definitely not a Marcus Peters-type tackler. Still love ya, Peters, for that Pick 6 on Monday Night Football vs Detroit; he's actually the exact opposite.

His style will be welcoming for the Raiders, who have been notoriously sluggish when it comes to cornerbacks making tackles. But overall, as a fan, I will always take a tall defensive back with speed over most, and his grit makes him a fun rookie to watch!

Round 5, Pick 148) Tommy Eichenberg Linebacker Ohio State University

Height: 6'2 Weight: 239 lbs.

An old-school tackling linebacker who will probably be one of Antonio Pierce's favorite rookies to work with. He is exactly what this team needs: a tackling machine who can be a leader in the locker room. He was a two-time captain for Ohio State and won the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2023.

Bringing in Eichenberg is huge because we actually have a great player from whom he can learn. For those who don't know, his name is Robert Spillane. Spillane and Eichenberg can become a great duo on the inside when it's needed. Overall, Eichenberg's selection makes the Linebacker room one to watch this preseason and has the potential to be a difference-making position group.

Round 6, Pick 208) Dylan Laube Running Back University of New Hampshire

Height: 5'10 ft Weight: 208 lbs.

Laube is exactly what the Las Vegas Raiders need: a dog all around the field. Laube's work ethic is probably his best attribute, and he's more than willing to get down and dirty on every play. There are a few ways the Raiders can use Laube to the best of his abilities, and Tom Telesco said it best when he made the call to let Laube know he was going to be a Raider.

Laube won the 2023 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He excelled in both kick and punt returns. He was also a very good gunner on the punt formation, and I believe that the Raiders will utilize him in every aspect of special teams. Don't be surprised if they also line him up in the slot receiver position. I would also expect the team to use Laube in gadget plays (Trick plays).

Great job with the overall assessment! The Raiders were able to bring in another player for a sixth-round pick who is willing to do anything to win. Listening to Laube's conversation with Antonio Pierce, his enthusiasm makes me very excited to see the player he will become.

Round 7, Pick 223) Trey Taylor Safety Air Force Academy

Height: 6'0 ft Weight: 213 lbs.

This is probably my favorite pick other than Bowers (I'm also a University of Georgia fan) because I know this kid will not have any issues when it comes to character and work ethic. In the early days of the NCAA and NFL, the service academies were the kings of each sport. The best athletes went to the service academies and won tons of Heisman trophies and national championships, but times have changed.

Service academies usually don't have talented players to make it to the NFL, but they make up for it by being disciplined and hardworking. Taylor will bring all of that to the Raiders. The thing about Taylor is that he is also very talented. He was the first Air Force player to win the Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in the NCAA. He has also shown that he is a ball hawk when it comes to interceptions, especially since he plays against mostly running teams.

Once again, the Raiders have brought in another prospect who is boom or bust, but what will stand out about Taylor will be his work ethic. Work ethic can sometimes be very helpful to a player lacking in some areas. But Taylor has proved his talent, so maybe the Raiders have found a gem in the seventh round.

Round 7, Pick 229) MJ Devonshire Defensive Back University of Pittsburgh

Height: 5'11 ft Weight: 179 lbs.

Another versatile cornerback who can contribute more than just playing cornerback. Usually, with 7th-round picks, you're expected to compete on special teams, and for Devonshire, that shouldn't be an issue because he was named to the 2022 All-ACC Second Team as a return specialist. To add to his trophy collection, he was also named to the 2023 All-ACC Second Team as a cornerback as well.

Despite that, the team has brought in another player who can do many things on the field, and he obviously performs well in those instances, too. Overall, I like this player because he also has grit when it comes to covering receivers, and in this new style of NFL, you need to be as aggressive as possible. Another asset for Coach Antonio Pierce!

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