Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Positional Update, sorted most needed to least needed...

OG/C
Andre James 85
Parham 77
Brown 25
Meredith 44
Fluker ?

CB
Hobbs 76
Jones 68
Bennett 48
Webb 39
Facyson 32
Armstrong N/A

T
Miller 81
Munford 72
Wagner ?
McKenzie ?

TE
Mayer 66
Bryant 56
Fotheringham 28
Gentry 13
Shenker

S
Moehrig 83
Epps 79
Pola-Mao 43
Smith 30
Grant ?
Jones, T. ?

LB
Spillane 87
Deablo 71
Masterson 59
Burney 39
Smith 29
Butler 25
Mauga 24

QB
Minshew 76
O'Connell 72
Brown 33*

WR
Adams 87
Meyers 81
Tucker 61
Turner 29
Wilkerson 20

RB
Mattison 71
White 58
Abdullah 50
Brown ?
McCormick ?

DI
Wilkins 82
Jenkins 66
A. Butler 64
McCall 48
Young 37
M. Butler 27
Jade Silvera 26
Agoha

DE
Crosby 95
Koonce 73
Wilson* 56
Robinson 38
Snowden

Positions I expect to experience the most season-to-season growth internally: TE, QB, RB, DE.

So, we most need a Guard, Tackle, CB, and LB in my mind.

 

I was looking at some advance stats on offensive lines and decided to do some digging. Here's (arguably) our best OL run blockers from last season:

Eleumunor (14 points)
Van Roten (10 points)
Parham (9 points)
James (5 points)
Munford (5 points)
Miller (2 points)

Eleumunor is gone. Van Roten is not under contract. Those are massive blows to the run game.

 

Points based on SISD stats (really cool site), yards per carry and yards per game while in the lineup.

 

Drafted a TE. He’s a really good tight end. But I don’t know about that pick.

 

Rookie Ratings
1.13 Bowers 69 - would be just above Mayer's 66 from last season.
2.44 Jackson Powers-Johnson 70
-I'm not sure what position he'll play, but as a rookie, he's projected at a rating of 70, just below Munford's 72 from last season.

 

Seems like the Raiders want Powers-Johnson for G.
3rd rounder: Delmar Glaze 40.
It's not a pick people are loving. Seems like a reach.

Without Van Roten, the Raiders look something like this:

LT Miller 81
LG Parham 77
C James 85
RG Powers-Johnson 70
RT Munford 72

 

DJ James is out there and available right now. He's arguably the top CB prospect left. Will the Raiders grab him?

 

Okay; they did grab a CB. Decamerion Richardson.

Great athlete but with a slight frame.
Rookie Projection: 51.
That would be 6th best among our DBs, 4th best among CBs. He could earn himself some PT.

Edit: Apparently, Chris Simms is a huge fan. Had his rated his 5th best CB.

 

I don't like Ohio State, but I think Eichenberg is a great pick. We're in the 5th round, so you're already thinking about special teams and role players, but his upside is a 3-down starter. He's a promising addition.

LBs
Spillane 87
Deablo 71
Eichenberg 65
Masterson 59

 

1.13 Brock Bowers TE
2.44 Jackson Powers-Johnson C/G
3.77 DJ Glaze OT
4.112 Decamerion Richardson CB
5.148 Tommy Eichenberg LB
6.208 Dylan Laube RB
7.223 Trey Taylor S
7.229 MJ Devonshire CB

Updates after looking at more scouting reports and comparisons.

1.13 Brock Bowers TE
TEs are slow to develop, and Bowers will struggle in blocking, but he'll have some huge moments in the receiving game. He and Mayer give the Raiders arguably the best TE group over the next three seasons.
Rookie Projection: 65 (adequate starter)
Ceiling: 80+ (elite)
Floor: 60+ (adequate)

2.44 Jackson Powers-Johnson C/G
JPJ has some impressive comparisons, and he could make an immediate and big impact inside. He'll probably pay Guard.
Rookie Projection: 72 (good starter)
Ceiling: 80+ (elite)
Floor: 60+ (adequate)

3.77 DJ Glaze OL
Glaze may be better suited as an OG, and that could affect both the amount of PT he receives and his overall value in the NFL. Both could be bad for his development, but there's some top end there.
Rookie Projection: 32 (roster body)
Ceiling: 70 (good starter)
Floor: 30 (roster body)

4.112 Decamerion Richardson CB
He's long and fast, but he has a slight frame. He's fast as hell, and he can close, but you'd like to see him not get beaten and have to close.
Rookie Projection: 56 (rotational player)
Ceiling: 65 (adequate/solid starter)
Floor: 30 (roster body)

5.148 Tommy Eichenberg LB
Eichenberg thrives near the line of scrimmage. He can diagnose and shut down plays as they're developing. His coverage skills will be limited. LV has a serious opportunity for a third LB to step up.
Rookie Projection: 53 (rotational player)
Ceiling: 70 (good starter)
Floor: 30 (roster body)

6.208 Dylan Laube RB
Laube is a fantastic route runner and receiver. He's probably going to need work on inside running and pass blocking, but he has the tools to be successful in a receiving role early on. He's also a possible contributor on special teams, especially as a returner.
Rookie Projection: 50 (rotational player)
Ceiling: 68 (good roleplayer)
Floor: 20 (practice squad)

7.223 Trey Taylor S
Strong and quick but very average physical profile otherwise. Taylor logged a bunch of tackles in each of three seasons as a starter at Air Force. He defended 13 passes, picked off 6, and returned one for a TD.
Rookie Projection: 25 (practice squad/roster body)
Ceiling: 45 (special teamer/rotational player)
Floor: 20 (practice squad)

7.229 MJ Devonshire CB
Lethal with the ball in his hands. He took 3 INTs and 1 punt to the house in his final two seasons at Pitt. Doubt he'll get the chance to return punts in the NFL, however, as he loves running backwards and averaged only 4.9 per return as a Senior. Great leaping skills, long arms make for tight windows. Possible slot corner.
Rookie Projection: 53 (rotational player)
Ceiling: 65 (adequate starter)
Floor: 20 (practice squad)

I think the Raiders grabbed two sure fire starters (Bowers, Powers-Johnson), four players who will be rotational players, and two who will fight for a roster spot.

 

Michael Gallup on board.

 

Updating our Positions of Concern, post Draft.


Starting with FORMERLY most needed:

OG/C
Andre James 85
POWERS-JOHNSON 79
Parham 77
Whitehair 61
Meredith 44
Brown 25
-Huge acquisition. Powers-Johnson could become an elite OG. I feel confident in this position now.

CB
Hobbs 76
Jones 68
RICHARDSON 56
DEVONSHIRE 53
Bennett 48
Webb 39
Facyson 32
Armstrong N/A
-Raiders added two promising players. We have our top 2 CBs settled, but those rookies and Bennett should duke it out for the last spot. I don't want to sleep on Webb or Facyson though. Both have contributed in the NFL.

T
Miller 81
Munford 72
GLAZE 32*
Wagner ?
McKenzie ?
-Unless one of those guys listed under OG/C is shifting here, this becomes a position with little to no depth. Glaze may be best suited as an OG. Wagner missed all last season. McKenzie hasn't played a snap.

TE
Mayer 66
BOWERS 65
Bryant 56
Fotheringham 28
Gentry 13
Shenker
-It may not be in 2024, but this is going to be an elite TE duo. Bowers is already a great receiving TE, and Mayer developed into both a competent receiver and blocker over last season.

S
Moehrig 83
Epps 79
Pola-Mao 43
Smith 30
TAYLOR 25
Grant ?
-Taylor is a prospect, but with Moehrig and Epps, the top spots are settled.

LB
Spillane 87
Deablo 71
Masterson 59
EICHENBERG 53
Burney 39
Smith 29
Butler 25
Mauga 24
-Spillane and Deablo were the clear best backers, but after that Masterson left a little to be desired. With Eichenberg, they have options. And I'm always interested in a second year leap from players, so it's worth keeping an eye on Burney.

QB
Minshew 76
O'Connell 72
Brown 33*
-I can't see UDFA Carter Bradley making the roster over Brown. It's really a question of whether we roll with Minshew or AOC, and I'm AOK with AOC

WR
Adams 87
Meyers 81
GALLUP 67
Tucker 61
Turner 29
Wilkerson 20
GRIFFIN?
-Still sucks to see Renfrow's name missing, but the Raiders have added Gallup. The Raiders have four quality WRs, so there's little room to add anyone else. I'm going to put Lideatrick "Tulu" Griffin, a UDFA, on there. He led the NCAA in yards per kickoff return in 2022, and he's third all-time in the NCAA in yards per return. The Raiders have options at KR, but his name has to be considered.

RB
Mattison 71
White 58
Abdullah 50
LAUBE 50
Brown ?
McCormick ?
McAllister
-The Raiders' new OC likes to run, and the Raiders have White and Mattison to do that. Abdullah was solid as a change of pace back, but he's aging. Laube fills a similar role, and he's an electric receiver. I expect those four to make the roster.

DI
Wilkins 82
Jenkins 66
A. Butler 64
McCall 48
Young 37
M. Butler 27
Jade Silvera 26
Agoha
-Wilkins will do wonders for this group, Jenkins was stout against the run, and Butler is a competent DT, too. Will Wilson slide over here to add even more options?

DE
Crosby 95
Koonce 73
Wilson* 56
Robinson 38
Snowden
-Crosby and Koonce will hold down the edges. After that, it's worth wondering what would happen if one of them misses time.

Biggest questions?
Starting QB
3rd CB
3rd LB
3rd S
3rd DE
3rd T
5th WR
Returners?

 

One last post. This could be fun or awful.
I wanted to do some thinking about potential growth from players in year 2. Here are comparisons with other players to see estimate their growth (or lack thereof).

Tyree Wilson
Age 23 [56]

Chandler Jones made a huge leap from Year 1 to Year 2, going from 6 t0 11.5 sacks. He was a year younger than Wilson.
Age 22 [78]
Age 23 [82]

Judon was older than Wilson. He saw a huge leap, too, going from 4 to 8 sacks and starting 12 games.
Age 24 [56]
Age 25 [75]

Ansah was older than Wilson. In year 1, he had 8 sacks. In year 2, he had 7.5, but his peripherals were much improved, and he was a starter.
Age 24 [67]
Age 25 [79]

Wilson Projection
Age 24 [68]
-Not bad. 70 is a solid starter.

Michael Mayer
Age 22 [66]

Andrews
Age 23 [67]
Age 24 [76]

Eifert
Age 23 [71]
Age 24 [27]*played only 1 game
Age 25 [84]

Mayer Projection
Age 23 [73]
-Nice increase, and with Bowers on the other side the Raiders are in good shape.

Tre Tucker
Age 22 [61]

Mecole Hardman
Age 21 [66]
Age 22 [68]

Tyler Lockett
Age 23 [76]
Age 24 [69]

Tucker Projection
Age 22 [65]
-These comparables were mostly maxed out as receivers early on. Tucker might be close to his top end, too.

Jakorian Bennett
Age 23 [48]

L'Jarius Sneed
Age 23 [66]
Age 24 [76]

Jamel Dean
Age 23 [66]
Age 24 [78]

Bennett Projection
Age 24 [58]
-He could see a leap, but he'll need playing time.

Christopher Smith
Age 23 [30]

Abram
Age 23 [28]
Age 24 [56]
Age 25 [72]

Smith Projection
Age 24 [41]
-Smith could get lucky, but he might also be on the outside, looking in.

Amari Burney
Age 23 [39]

Quay Walker
Age 22 [67]
Age 23 [72]

Patrick Queen
Age 21 [51]
Age 22 [61]
Age 23 [81]

Brian Cole
DNP

Burney Projection
Age 24 [44]
-Some of the comparisons here are elite players, but he's older than they were.

Nesta Jade Silvera
Age 23 [26]

Rashard Lawrence
Age 22 [43]
Age 23 [52]
Age 24 [45]

Silvera Projection
Age 24 [32]
-Unless he's much matured from last season, Jade Silvera could be done.

AOC
Age 25 [72]

Tannehill
Age 24 [79]
Age 25 [87]
Age 26 [85]

Cousins
Age 24 [49]
Age 25 [48]
Age 26 [57]

AOC Projection
Age 26 [76]
-It's hard to find rookie QBs who play at 25. Tannehill and Cousins were 24. Matt Moore is another comparable, but he's too old school to have the stats I need to run these analyses. AOC could play out his rookie contract and be a quality starter.

 

New signees Andrus Peat and Jalen Guyton.