Antonio Pierce reinvigorated the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2023 season, but were he and new general manager Tom Telesco able to carry that momentum forward in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Their NFL Draft grades tell the story.
Las Vegas Raiders 2024 NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 13: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Raiders still need their quarterback. But whether they ride out the 2024 season with Aidan O’Connell and wait to reset until 2025, or whether they add competition in the ensuing rounds, they can feel comfortable knowing Brock Bowers adds a new dimension to their offense.
On one hand, the Raiders had more pressing needs, and they also have Michael Mayer at TE, who flashed as a rookie. But Bowers is a top-five talent on PFN’s value board, and with his skill set, he’s not redundant alongside Mayer.
Brock Bowers adds a potentially elite weapon to the #Raiders offense. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dZKXfh9y0q
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Bowers is a weapon, not just a tight end – and he can function as a big-slot hybrid alongside Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, take schemed touches with his devastating RAC ability, or work the middle with his speed and strength. He’s a force multiplier and a savvy pick by Las Vegas.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 44: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
After adding a dynamic weapon in Bowers in Round 1, the Raiders continued to fortify the offensive side of the ball in Round 2, selecting Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson with the 44th overall pick.
On the surface, Powers-Johnson’s immediate fit in Las Vegas isn’t completely clear. The Raiders re-signed Andre James to a multi-year deal after he held strong at the center spot in 2023 – but they could absolutely play Powers-Johnson at right guard, where a void currently exists.
At around 6’3”, 330 pounds, Powers-Johnson is a superdense block of power and tenacity, and wherever he plays – center or guard – he should strengthen the Raiders’ two-phase blocking presence on the interior if he can stay healthy.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick 77: Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland
With the 77th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected offensive tackle Delmar Glaze from Maryland.
Glaze was my 114th overall prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, so this is a slight reach — but the tackles were flying off the board, and Glaze fits the ideal profile for the Raiders.
At 6’4”, 315 pounds, with near-35” arms, Glaze has the build and athleticism to work with, and he has extensive starting experience at both left and right tackle. If he can improve his hand precision and power anchoring, he can grow to become a solid NFL starter.
Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 112: Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State
If Decamerion Richardson can reach his ceiling, he could be one of the better CBs from the 2024 NFL Draft. He has the length, explosiveness, speed, corrective mobility, and energy worth investing in. And in Las Vegas, he won’t be pressured to be perfect right away.
Grade: A
Round 5, Pick 148: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
The Raiders don’t have too much long-term security at the linebacker spot, so Tommy Eichenberg is a solid addition in Round 5.
Eichenberg regressed a bit in 2023 after a 2022 season that earned him fringe Day 2 hype. Yet, at around 6’3”, 235 pounds, he’s an explosive attacker with blitz capabilities, engaging physicality against blocks, and competent range as a coverage defender.
Grade: B
Round 6, Pick 208: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Dylan Laube was a top-five RB prospect in the class on my board and is a massive steal outside of the top 200. At around 5’10”, 206 pounds, he’s a dense, compact, and explosive back who excels at pressing upfield behind blocks. But past his running ability, he’s also an elite receiving threat with a full route tree and slot capabilities. The Raiders got a weapon at this pick.
Grade: A+
Round 7, Pick 223: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Both of the Raiders’ starting safeties — Trevon Moehrig and Marcus Epps — are up for new contracts in 2025, so taking a chance on a late-round safety in the 2024 NFL Draft makes a lot of sense.
At 6’1”, 206 pounds, Trey Taylor gives the Raiders the desired versatility. He’s a high-level playmaker — as he showed in his three-interception, Thorpe Award-winning 2023 campaign — but he also has the size and explosiveness to enforce downhill and provide special teams value.
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick 229: M.J. Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh
This late in the 2024 NFL Draft, M.J. Devonshire is an excellent value addition for a Raiders team that could still use more youth and upside at the cornerback spot. Devonshire is lighter than average and could use more technical refinement, but he’s an explosive, urgent two-phase defender with good playmaking instincts, reach, feel in zone coverage, and slot-boundary versatility. He provides immediate depth and has a starting upside.
Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders 2024 NFL Draft Summary
On the surface, Telesco’s first draft with the Raiders was a success. Bowers and Powers-Johnson were stellar value acquisitions early on, and Glaze has starting upside at the right tackle spot.
KEEP READING: Raiders UDFA Signings and Rookie Camp Invites
On Day 3, the Raiders continued to follow the theme of value, adding high-upside DBs like Richardson, Devonshire, and Taylor, and stopping the fall of a versatile weapon in Laube.
The Raiders covered the bases they needed to and added that extra playmaking flair as well.
Final Grade: A