There are still some attractive free agents left on the market, but the Las Vegas Raiders appear set to go into the 2024 NFL Draft looking to fill several holes on their roster. They lack clear answers at quarterback, guard, right tackle and cornerback. They also need additional depth elsewhere, particularly on the offensive line, at receiver and throughout their defensive front seven.
While the Raiders currently hold eight picks in the draft, it will be difficult to address all of their needs in the draft. They have about $24.2 million in remaining cap space according to Over the Cap — and they’ll receive another $24.07 million in space when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s cap hit comes off the book on June 2 — so they don’t necessarily have to.
Still, the Raiders are aiming to come out of the draft with several players who can make an immediate impact and others who can be developed for the future. Here’s our latest Raiders big board with a focus on the first three rounds of the draft.
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Raiders NFL Draft 2024 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs
Round 1
1. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Chicago Bears are locked in on drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, so we’ll assume the former USC quarterback won’t be an option. Maye is widely considered the second-best quarterback in the draft class and could be acquired with a major trade up in the first round.
QB1 Drake Maye dropping dimes 😤💪
🎥: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kELy0gCSYk
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 28, 2024
2. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Daniels’ connection with Antonio Pierce is well chronicled, but it’ll be difficult for the Raiders to get in position to reunite them. Much like Maye, landing Daniels would require a trade to move up toward the top of the draft.
3. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
If Williams, Maye and Daniels go off the board with the first three picks, a bidding war could ensue to select McCarthy. He wasn’t asked to do as much as a college quarterback as some other prospects, but his size, arm talent and intangibles have NFL evaluators intrigued. If they’re interested, it might be tough to outbid the Minnesota Vikings for his services.
4. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Alt was exclusively a left tackle in college, but the Raiders would need him to transition to right tackle since they already have Kolton Miller in the fold. Alt is talented enough to pull it off.
5. Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Fautanu might be better off at guard, but he was productive in his two years as a starter at left tackle in college. The 6-4, 319-pounder excels in the run and pass game, is a fluid mover and plays with a ton of physicality.
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6. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Arnold checks all of the height, weight and speed measurables, is as competitive as they come, has refined coverage skills and brings physicality against the pass and run. He’d step in as a day-one starter for the Raiders.
7. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The same could be said for Mitchell, but something that could be held against him is the fact that most of his work came against lesser competition in the MAC. That said, he’d be a strong consolation prize if Arnold is off the board.
8. Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Fashanu is another left tackle-only prospect who would have to move to right tackle. He’s not as polished as Alt, but he has the physical traits to be a reliable starter for a long time.
9. JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The massive (6-6, 335 pounds) Latham was a two-year starter at right tackle at Alabama, is an anchor in pass protection and is a people-mover in the run game. He needs to sharpen his technique and fundamentals, but he should be a starter from the get-go.
10. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Some teams view Fuaga as a guard at the next level, but he was a two-year starter as a collegian at right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 332-pounder is dominant in the run game, has a mauling style and plays with aggression. Given the Raiders’ needs at right guard and right tackle, they could find a starting spot for Fuaga either way.
.@BeaverFootball Taliese Fuaga tackle @Taliese1 at the NFL Combine on Saturday morning. pic.twitter.com/EsclpH8c9b
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 2, 2024
11. Graham Barton, OL, Duke
Barton was an effective college starter at center and left tackle. The Raiders would take him with the hope that he could start at right guard or right tackle.
12. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims only started eight games in three years at Georgia due to injuries, but he’s a 6-7, 340-pounder with a mean streak, long arms and quick feet. He’s a riskier pick but could be worth the swing.
13. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Wiggins weighs just 173 pounds, but he has excellent coverage skills and physical traits. He needs to bulk up but projects as an early NFL starter.
14. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean has size at 6-1, 207 pounds and lined up at cornerback, nickelback and safety in college. He’s fast, athletic and has strong ball skills.
Coming to an NFL stadium near you…@cdejean23 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/KR2UmA8vUu
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) April 9, 2024
15. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Like Mims, Guyton is a project. Still, he has tantalizing size at 6-8, 322 pounds and special traits that could help him become a high-end starter.
16. Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Morgan was a left tackle in college, but there are questions about whether he could hold up there as a pass protector at the next level. Perhaps the Raiders are confident he’d be capable of doing so at right tackle, but they could also move him to right guard.
17. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
McKinstry suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot that’ll require surgery, yet he still might go in the first round. He has an average build at 5-11, 199 pounds, but he is athletic, is smooth in coverage and has a knack for making plays on the ball.
18. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Penix blossomed into a star the last two years at Washington. He has good size at 6-foot-2, 216 pounds and has dynamic arm strength. The downsides? His lengthy injury history, his lack of ideal mobility and the fact that he’ll be 24 as a rookie. To justify taking him in the first round, the Raiders would have to be certain he can be an effective starter right away and stay healthy long term.
19. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Nix has plenty of experience, possesses dual-threat ability and has good accuracy. His ceiling is debatable — none of his traits are exceptional and he’ll be 24 as a rookie — but he may become a solid starter.
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Rounds 2-3
20. Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
21. Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
22. Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
23. Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
24. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
25. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
26. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
27. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
28. Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
29. Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
30. Mike Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
31. Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
32. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
33. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
34. Maason Smith, DT, LSU
35. Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU
36. Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
37. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
38. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
39. Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
40. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
41. Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
42. DJ James, CB, Auburn
43. Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
44. Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
45. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
46. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
47. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
48. Nehemiah Prickett, CB, Auburn
49. Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
50. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
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(Photo of JC Latham: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
2024-04-12 22:25:25
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