Predicting Raiders Starters After 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL draft was a landmark event for the Tom Telesco-era Las Vegas Raiders. The former Chargers GM got his first crack at running a draft for the Silver and Black and he certainly made his mark.

The hopes of landing a quarterback of the future were evaporated by the time the team got on the clock at No. 13. With six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks, Telesco was forced to pivot away from passers and wound up with one of the best overall players on the board in Brock Bowers.

From there, Telesco went to work on an offensive line that needed an infusion of youth. Jackson Powers-Johnson was a steal in the middle of the second round and Delmar Glaze is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling.

Taken with the incoming free agent class, there are bound to be some changes in what the Raiders lineup looks like in 2024.

As Antonio Pierce and Telesco look to kick off their regime with a successful debut, here's a look at what the starting offenses and defenses could look like.

Notable Additions

James Gilbert/Getty Images

New Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II

Free Agents: QB Gardner Minshew, DT Christian Wilkins, OG Cody Whitehair, RB Alexander Mattison, TE Harrison Bryant

Draft: TE Brock Bowers, IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL Delmar Glaze, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Tommy Eichenberg, RB Dylan Laube, S Trey Taylor, CB MJ Devonshire

Dave Ziegler brought in one of the biggest free agent classes last offseason. The results obviously weren't good enough for him to keep his job.

Telesco took a different approach this offseason. He didn't make a ton of external signings, but the ones he did addressed important needs. Signing Garnder Minshew II gave the Raiders the flexibility to be patient at the quarterback position.

The Raiders haven't had a true star on the interior of the defensive line for a long time. They have one now with Christian Wilkins. He could be the missing piece that unlocks a pass rush that could be among the league's best in 2024.

Cody Whitehair isn't going to make many headlines, but he's a solid veteran guard who will help the Raiders build a unit without any major liabilities.

The draft class could have two immediate starters in Bowers and Powers-Johnson. Here's a look at what the lineups could look like with this new influx of talent.

Projected Offense

John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: The Las Vegas Raiders choose Georgia Tight End Brock Bowers thirteenth overall during Day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Starting Lineup: QB Gardner Minshew II, RB Zamir White, WR Davante Adams, WR Jakobi Meyers, WR Tre Tucker, TE Brock Bowers, OT Kolton Miller, OG Dylan Parham, C Andre James, OG Jackson Powers-Johnson, OT Thayer Munford Jr.

New Raiders offensive coordinator was a big fan of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) with the Bears last season. They were eighth in usage rate of the personnel grouping, but it still only accounted for 23 percent of their offensive snaps.

Like most teams in the league, 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end) was the default.

That figures to be true for the Raiders, even if the newly formed tight end duo of Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer will see plenty of the field together.

Jackson Powers-Johnson was an excellent center at Oregon, but he'll be kicking over to guard in Vegas. With Andre James signed to a three-year extension this offseason the writing is on the wall.

Powers-Johnson did make one start at right guard with the Ducks before moving to the pivot in his final season. Regardless, Brandon Thorn was positive with Power-Johnson's ability to be an early starter in his scouting report:

"His physical traits and makeup should allow him to start right away at either center or guard without being dependent on scheme while providing Pro Bowl potential within his first contract."

Finding one starter who can help them play a lot of 12 personnel and another who will upgrade the interior of the offensive line points to an offense that wants to be a tone-setting, physical unit.

Projected Defense

Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins

Starting Lineup: DE Maxx Crosby, DT Christian Wilkins, DT John Jenkins, DE Malcolm Koonce, LB Robert Spillane, LB Divine Deablo, CB Jack Jones, CB Brandon Facyson, NB Nate Hobbs, S Tre'von Moehrig, S Marcus Epps

The defense under Antonio Pierce's tutelage was the biggest bright spot for the Raiders last season. It should continue to be a beacon of hope in the 2024 season.

The Raiders weren't content to just roll out the same personnel last season. They were aggressive in making it even better. Signing Christian Wilkins elevates the ceiling of the group. Tyree Wilson isn't listed as a starter, but he should be heavily involved in the rotation on the defensive line.

The battle for outside corner across from Jack Jones should be interesting. Jones was a revelation of a mid-season signing for them last year. However, Amik Robertson, who played well, is now gone.

That leaves second-year player Jakorian Bennett and veteran Brandon Facyson to compete for the spot. Bennett struggled at times as a rookie so Facyson gets the slight nod, but things could definitely change in the summer.

The safety pairing is probably the position that has the most to prove. Both Moehrig and Epps are in the final year of their contract. There might not be a legitimate threat to take their jobs on the roster now, but they still have to earn them for the long-term.