A look at how 2023 draft class fared against Carolina
Let’s check in on the Las Vegas Raiders’ second-year players and see how the 2023 draft class fared in a 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers and what to expect going into Week 4 at home against the Cleveland Browns.
Eight of the nine players from the draft class are currently on the roster. The Raiders cut third-round pick Byron Young and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was inactive in Week 1.
Tyree Wilson:
The No. 7 overall pick was back on the field after he missed the Baltimore win with a knee injury he suffered early in Week 1. Despite injuries, Wilson is still not a starter and he is rotational player, which isn’t a great sign. Wilson, who played 46 percent of the snaps against Carolina, had two tackles against the Panthers. He did have a nice pass-rush, almost getting to Andy Dalton on a play he threw a touchdown. But it was another overall quiet game for this player who needs to start showing he was a worthwhile choice.
Michael Mayer:
The second-round pick from Notre Dame has had a quiet start to the season. Mayer had one catch for seven yards against Carolina. He has four catches for 21 yards this season. Mayer was on the field for just 48 percent of the snaps. He played 57 percent in Week 1 and 62 percent in Week 2. Mayer played less than 48 percent of the snaps just twice as a rookie. While rookie Brock Bowers is flourishing, their other high draft pick has made much of a role yet this season.
Tre Tucker:
The third-round pick had a big game with seven catches for 96 yards and a score against the Panthers. A lot of it came in garbage time, but he and quarterback Gardner Minshew hooked up for a 54-yard bomb (shades of their preseason chemistry) earlier in the game. He was on the field for a career-high 81 percent of the snaps Sunday. Perhaps getting this speedster involved more can kickstart the offense.
Jakorian Bennett:
The fourth-round pick is a staple of the defense. he played a season-high 93 percent of the defensive snaps. He had a pass defense and had had, at least, one in each game. Bennett has four this seoans after having three as a rookie. The Maryland product began last season as a starter, but lost his job. He seems like he’s not heading to the bench anytime soon.
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images
Aidan O’Connell:
O’Connell, who started 10 games last season, got his first action of the season in garbage time. He completed nine of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown pass. Coach Antonio Pierce opened the door Monday for a quarterback switch, but is sticking with Minshew this week.
Chris Smith:
The fifth-round safety from Georgia played 21 snaps on special teams and none on defense against the Panthers. He not a factor on defense at this point, but with Marcus Epps out for the season with a knee injury, he may be getting closer to getting a chance.
Amari Burney:
Like Smith, the sixth-round pick was all special teams Sunday with 20 snaps played. He hasn’t played on defense this season.
Nesta Jade Silvera.
Perhaps it was based on garbage time, but Silvera played a career-high 26 snaps against the Panthers. He played a combined 18 defensive snaps in the first two weeks. As a rookie, the seventh-round pick played on defense twice, with a total of 24 snaps. it will be interesting to see if this becomes a trend.
Conclusion:
Tucker was a bright light and Bennett has been good, but Wilson and Mayer need to get going.