Hot Takes, Predictions for Raiders Rookies After 2023 NFL Draft
The previous Las Vegas Raiders regime didn't have a track record of draft success, but things are looking more promising in the Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler era. Despite not having a first- or second-round pick last year, the Raiders found a 17-game starter in Dylan Parham, a promising young back in Zamir White and some nice depth players in Neil Farrell Jr., Thayer Munford Jr. and Matthew Butler.
This year, the Raiders did have early selections, and it's hard not to like what Las Vegas did early in the draft. At No. 7, the Raiders scooped up Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson, a prospect who was in contention to be the first defender off the board. They came back in Round 2 and snagged Michael Mayer, the top-ranked tight end on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board.
Las Vegas did a nice job of addressing needs and finding depth at key positions throughout the draft, and the roster looks much stronger than it did a few days ago.
What can Raiders fans expect from the latest draft haul? Below, you'll find a few bold predictions for the coming season. First, though, let's do a little recapping.
Draft Results
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A complete look at the 2023 NFL draft order and results can be found below:
Tyree Wilson Will Be Eased in but Will Make an Impact
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Fans may have been a little surprised by the Wilson pick since the Raiders already have Maxx Crosby and 2022 free-agent addition Chandler Jones on the edges. However, it was a smart selection because Jones is 33 years old and because, simply put, Wilson was one of the best defenders in this draft.
"I will not be surprised if, in the Edge category, Tyree Wilson is picked ahead of Will Anderson," ProFootballTalk's Peter King wrote before the draft.
Wilson is working his way back from a foot injury, but he won't be thrust into a prominent role immediately—something the Raiders did with 2019 first-round pick Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell was asked to be the centerpiece of Las Vegas' pass rush right away, and he played 66 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie, according to Pro Football Reference.
The Raiders will likely put Wilson in more of a rotational role to begin his career. However, that doesn't mean that the Texas Tech product won't make early contributions.
Wilson can rotate on the edge with Crosby and Jones, but he's a versatile 271-pound prospect who can play multiple spots on the defensive front. If Las Vegas wants to get all three of its pass-rushers on the field at the same time, Wilson has the size and the length to kick inside.
While Ferrell faced unrealistic expectations—he was drafted too early, plain and simple—Wilson will be eased into his role with the Raiders. He'll make his presence felt quickly, though, and in time, he'll replace Jones as the bookend pass-rusher opposite Crosby.
Michael Mayer Will Be TE1 Almost Immediately
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The Raiders had plenty of movement at the tight end position this offseason. They traded away oft-injured former Pro Bowler Darren Waller and added O.J. Howard and Austin Hooper. Then, they used a second-round pick on Mayer.
McDaniels will have tons of flexibility with his tight ends in 2023, something he frequently enjoyed with the New England Patriots. However, Mayer is the long-term answer and he should quickly overtake Howard and Hooper as the teams' primary receiving tight end.
Mayer, who caught 67 passes for 809 yards and nine touchdowns last season, has all the tools to become a high-level starter in the NFL.
"Tight end is typically a tough transition, but Mayer should be a weapon right away. A player with his size, strength and natural ball skills will find a way to be productive out of the gate," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won't find Mayer to be quite as explosive as his last tight end, George Kittle, but he should quickly view him as one of his most reliable targets.
Las Vegas now has three solid receiving tight ends, and McDaniels will find ways to get all three on the field. However, Mayer has the most upside in the bunch, and his floor is high enough that he'll earn the starting job before the end of the preseason.
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Jakorian Bennett Will See Early Playing Time
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One reason why the Wilson pick may have surprised some folks is the fact that Las Vegas passed on Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Cornerback was a huge need after the Raiders ranked 29th in pass defense in 2022 and parted with Rock Ya-Sin in free agency (he remains unsigned).
The Raiders did eventually dip into the deep cornerback pool, though, snagging Maryland's Jakorian Bennett in the fourth round. Bennett could prove to be an absolute steal at that point in the draft.
While Bennett wasn't viewed as one of the draft's top corners—he was ranked 21st at the position on the B/R board—he's a 5'11", 188-pound defender with elite athleticism (3rd-ranked estimated athletic score among corners at the combine) and top-end speed (4.3-second 40).
"Ultimately, Bennett has lot of skills and traits that could make him successful in the NFL. He needs to continue working on his ball skills downfield and his tackling," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
While Bennett might not be polished enough to start from day one, his package of top-tier traits—and Las Vegas' relative lack of depth at the position—will get him on the field early.
Las Vegas signed the likes of Duke Shelley, David Long Jr. and Brandon Facyson in free agency, but Bennett has more upside than any of them. Expect him to be a valuable role player and special-teams contributor early.
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