2023 NFL Draft: Handing out grades for the AFC West
2023 NFL Draft: Handing out grades for the AFC West – Las Vegas Raiders
Here’s their 2023 NFL Draft class:
Round 1, Pick 7 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Round 2, Pick 35 – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Round 3, Pick 70 – Bryon Young, DL, Alabama
Round 3, Pick 100 – Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Round 4, Pick 104 – Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Round 4, Pick 135 – Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue
Round 5, Pick 170 – Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia
Round 6, Pick 203 – Amari Burney, LB, Florida
Round 7, Pick 231 – Nesta Jade Slivera, DT, Arizona State
The Raiders made the most picks of any team in the AFC West and came away with a solid haul. I think their best pick was Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame, who shockingly was not the first tight end taken. He replaces the traded Darren Waller.
They also took Tyree Wilson out of Texas Tech, who compares similarly to Chandler Jones, who the Raiders signed last year.
I am a bit shocked that they did not target a tackle in the draft, or any offensive linemen for that matter. Their OL needs serious help and they simply failed by not addressing their worst unit. They also did not address their other poor unit until the fourth round.
Their secondary needs quite a bit of help but only used a fourth and fifth round pick on a cornerback and safety.
I don’t hate the players they came away with but it’s almost like they weren’t aware of their team needs.