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The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner. We are just a few days away from seeing the potential game-changers the Las Vegas Raiders bring in. They are so close to being a playoff team now, and the draft will only help.
The Raiders need to nail this draft with the big additions they made in the offseason. They need to grab a few players who can be cornerstone pieces. Luckily, this draft is stacked with a few positions they need.
Luckily for them, I have the perfect game plan for them to follow on Thursday, all the way through Saturday. Without further ado, my final Las Vegas Raiders mock draft:
Round 1, Pick 13: Michael Penix, QB, Washington
The Raiders need a quarterback, especially soon, as their roster is ready to be a contender outside of that one position and a few others. They need a guy who can turn around their franchise and be the face of it as soon as possible. But, likely, those players are only in the top three of the draft, so they may have to settle for a guy who can be good enough in the future.
That's where Penix comes in. He was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season and took his team to the National Championship. He has some of the best ball placement in the draft and is being slept on as an overall athlete, even though his recent pro day was astonishing with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 37-inch vertical. His strengths are what make him a very intriguing prospect.
I originally had the Raiders drafting Penix in the second round, but his value has skyrocketed into the first round over the last few months. I think they will take a shot at him and see if he is the guy. Many fans seem to think the Raiders will trade up for Jayden Daniels - not me. The price to get him will be insane, and I think the Raiders will value those picks they would have to give up.
Round 2, Pick 44: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
I know what you're thinking - a player from Yale? Yes. He's a great player, and he's super smart. The Las Vegas Raiders desperately need an offensive tackle to help protect their new quarterback Michael Penix. They had two big gaps on the offensive line in offensive guard and tackle, but after signing Cody Whitehair to play guard, the Raiders will look for the 2024 NFL Draft to be where they get their offensive tackle.
Amegadjie has the size and skills to be a start in 2024. They currently have Thayer Munford as the guy who would start there. While he has been great at times and bad at others, he is not the long-term answer, as far as we think. These two can battle it out during camp.
Round 3, Pick 77: Renardo Green, CB, FSU
There is a good chance we will see the Raiders take a cornerback in any one of the first three rounds. They desperately need another guy at the position, and if the board isn't falling the way they'd like at QB or OT, they can definitely grab one early. I have them grabbing one in the third round—mainly because the class is so deep at the position. One guy in particular was staring into my would, and I couldn't pass up.
Green is one guy that no one seems to be talking about enough. He had the best performance vs. Malik Nabers of any CB this last year, allowing just two rec on five targets. And, mind you, Nabers is a guy who could be the best wide receiver in this entire class. They have Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, and Jakorian Bennett, who is still developing, as probable cornerstone pieces in the secondary. They need one more - Green is that guy.
Round 4, Pick 112: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
I know it seems wild that we just took cornerback Renardo Green in the third round, which was one pick before; however, I can explain. Raiders fans won't like to hear this, but this is what their biggest rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, did for years—draft cornerbacks more than once in the draft and do it in the middle round. That is not only how they had a top-five defense but also a top secondary in football.
Jackson would be a perfect complement to what the Raiders already have. He and Green can battle for that last spot, and whenever it's time to pay someone and something happens, the Raiders have two guys that they drafted who can step in. If Bennett develops to what we think he can, and these two guys develop - the Raiders can have an elite secondary.
Round 5, Pick 148: DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
Even with the Raiders drafting Byron Young last season, bringing back Adam Butler and John Jenkins, and signing Christian Wilkins, the Raiders could use some more depth, especially young guys. The Butler and Jenkins deal was for a year, so, eventually, they will need a guy on the depth chart to develop and fill in when needed. That guy could be Carter.
Carter has above-average explosiveness and change of direction quickness and flashes a devastating bullrush. He has loose hips to win leverage with his spin move and showed an effective inside club, especially when lined up over the tackle. Carter also has decent hand quickness to defeat down blocks, with first-step explosiveness to out-pace reach blocks. Carter had eight career forced fumbles, was a 3-time team captain with multiple off-field accolades, and hasn't missed a game in three years. He is exactly the player Pierce would want to represent the Silver and Black.
Round 6, Pick 208: Tatum Bethune, LB, FSU
Why not take Green's teammate and pair them up on the Raiders? To make things even better, they are both very good. The Raiders need some linebacker depth to add to the team, but it's not a must-have. They can grab a guy like Bethune, who played a key role on an elite FSU defense last year; Bethune finished his college career with 339 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions.
For some reason, he isn't as high on a lot of people's big boards. However, he is a guy that has very high potential. When you look at his physicals, he is certainly a player that should be getting more hype - yet, this LB class is down the ranks a bit because it's not a position that teams need as much. However, the Raiders only have one linebacker on the roster after 2024, and it's Amari Burney.
Round 7, Pick 223: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
The Las Vegas Raiders have two picks in the seventh round and really only have two more needs we haven't touched on. As for the RB position, the Raiders need depth behind Mattinson, White, and Abdullah. Why not take a guy like Laube, who many think is only as low as he is because he played at such a small school? Laube finished his college career with 749 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 699 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns, and one kick returned for a touchdown.
The Raiders need a guy who can also be effective in special teams if they need him to. Luckily, Laube can.
Round 7, Pick 229: Layden Robinson, OG, Texas A&M
Even with the Whitehair signing, the Raiders will need to load up on depth at the guard position. I think they should go with Layden Robinson. Robinson has a built-in-a-lab frame, with a broad chest and long arms. He's a freak, to say the least. He's also alert in collecting and passing off stunts and flashes of dominance as a run-blocker. Robinson has elite drive-block potential and can uproot defenders and displace them 5+ yards off the line of scrimmage. He is a guy the Raiders would definitely target based on what they like.
More must-reads:
- Three dark-horse contenders for 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Dolphins add another star playmaker on offense
- The 'AP First-Team All-Pro tight ends' quiz
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