Raiders draft 2024: Early thoughts

Nice work, Las Vegas

With the Las Vegas Raiders’ draft picks in the books, here are some early thoughts:

A perfect AP pick

Fifth-round pick Tommy Eichenberg seems like the type of player Raiders’ coach Antonio Pierce always pounds the table for: A love-the-game guy who works hard and wants to be great.

The linebacker from Ohio State has limitations, but he’s a baller who is super productive. After being drafted, Eichenberg said he can’t wait to learn from Pierce, a former limited linebacker who carved out a successful playing career. Eichenberg said he is a “perfect’ fit for the Raiders and there is nothing else in life that he likes to do other than play football. this will be a fun fit.

No trades:

General manager Tom Telesco did not execute any trades in his first draft with the Raiders. He used all of his eight picks. Telesco in his 12th year as an NFL GM, has never traded down in the draft in his career.

Stroud love:

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud is a student of the game he loves the Brock Bowers’ selection for the Raiders. Check this out:

Travis Kelce comparisons? The Raiders will take that.

And check out this nugget from ESPN.

The commitment to the position is real, but Bowers was too good to pass up. They’ll make the Bowers-Mayer pairing work.

New RB:

The Raiders made an intriguing pick in the sixth round in the form of small-school running back and special teams stud Dylan Laube of New Hamphire. He was a big playmaker. Laube, who said he models his game after Christian McCaffrey, projects as a third-down back and a kick returner in the NFL. He could add some juice to the offense. Maybe he’s Telesco’s new Austin Ekeler down the road? He was the compensation in the Neil Farrell trade with the Chiefs.

Munford time?

Third-year offensive lineman Thayer Munford will likely be the favorite to start at right tackle after the Raiders didn’t take a player who is capable of competing right away. Munford has played well when he has been given the chance and the Raiders seem comfortable with him playing.

Brady watch?
Because the Raiders’ didn’t draft a quarterback (Telesco said they only considered taking one on Thursday) who has a legitimate chance to start soon, the Tom Brady monster will hover. Brady recently said he’s not “opposed” to returning at some point and mentioned the Raiders as a possibility. He is on his way to becoming a part owner of the team, so if the urge is there on both sides, we can’t discount it. Don’t hold you’re breathe, but this storyline still looms.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Big corner:

Raiders’ general manager Tom Telesco broke the seal on defensive players at No. 112 in the fourth round by taking Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson. He is a typical Telesco cornerback as he is big at 6-2, 188 pounds and he runs a 4.3 40. He is raw, though, and has trouble in coverage. Yet, he is the type of developmental player worth taking a shot at. Don’t expect much from him early, but who knows. I’d think the Raiders will look at a veteran corner to fill out the roster. Perhaps former Miami cornerback Xavien Howard — who has ties to the Raiders’ coaching staff — will make sense on a short-term deal.

Youth:

Drafted players are getting older because of the changed landscape in college football and because of the lost COVID year. However, the Raiders get youth. Their first three picks were all 21 years old. So, these players have a chance to be around Las Vegas for a long time.

Thorpe Winner:

The Raiders drafted Thorpe Award Winner (given to the best defensive back in the country) in Air Force’s Trey Taylor, who has received government clearance to play this year. The cousin of Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed has a chance to stick. Like so many of these draft picks, Taylor produced big in college.

Reuniting in the division:

Raiders first-round pick, tight end Brock Bowers played at Georgia and will see college teammate, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who was taken in the second round by the Los Angeles Chargers. Raiders’ second-round pick, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson played center at Oregon and snapped to quarterback Bo Nix. He, of course, was the No. 12 overall pick by the Denver Broncos. In the fourth round, the Broncos traded up to take Ducks’ star receiver Troy Franklin, So, these players will have fun seeing each other for the next several years.

Senior Bowl influence:

No matter, who is running the Raiders’ regime, they have been attracted to players from the Senior Bowl. Both second-round pick, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-round pick, Delmar Glaze and fifth-round pick, Eichenberg, Laube and Taylor all played in Mobile. It’s an NFL gold mine.

Division got better:
I truly like what the Raiders did this weekend. But I also like what the rest of the division did. Lots of good players coming to the AFC West.