The Las Vegas Raiders can find quality depth to fill out the roster in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Antonio Pierce, Tom Telesco, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking for any and every way to improve their roster so they can return to the playoffs in 2024.
That includes the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Raiders have nine selections. They can use those picks to build their roster, adding quality depth on the second and third days.
It all depends on how the Raiders value their roster and where they feel they need to make upgrades. It also depends on which positions they think have the most depth.
In the first round, the Raiders have commonly mocked an offensive tackle, cornerback, or quarterback. The Raiders have major needs at right tackle and CB and could add a rookie quarterback to the fold with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.
The quarterback conversation relating to the Raiders’ draft plans is an interesting one. Do they value one of the top QBs in the class enough to trade up into the top five? Do they like one of Washington’s Michael Penix or Oregon’s Bo Nix? Would they wait until the second or third day to take South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler or Tulane’s Michael Pratt?
The quarterback could be a position they address with their first-round pick or something they wait on. It likely depends on how they value the board.
The Raiders could see positions like outside linebacker and running back, which do not have a lot of top-heavy talent, as positions with good value on the second or third day. They could wait to select these positions and add starting-level talent at those spots, which are positions of need for the Raiders but not pressing ones.
The third day of the draft is when teams find depth to fill out their roster. If the Raiders draft well, they could find starting-level players. Telesco has found quality players on the third day, including linebacker Kyzir White in the fourth round and cornerback Desmond King in the fifth round.
The Raiders have players on expiring contracts in some spots, like defensive tackle. They could find players who can stop the run on the third day. Some value picks there could include Duke’s DeWayne Carter or Miami’s Leonard Taylor II.
The Raiders must find talent early in the draft but also depth who can contribute in other ways. They can find those kinds of players in the late rounds of the draft, when other teams may overlook players.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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