In the 2023 offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders finished with an 8-9 record and missed out on the playoffs. As they prepare for the upcoming draft, the team has a number of picks to work with, including a first-round selection at No. 13. They also have picks in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and two seventh rounds.
As they head into draft season, the Raiders have identified their top needs as quarterback, cornerback, and running back. The team already has Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew in their quarterbacks room and is looking to add another QB early on in the draft. They need help at cornerback after Marcus Peters experiment failed last season and may want to add a running back after losing Josh Jacobs in free agency.
In terms of potential draft picks, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy are seen as good fits for the Raiders in the first round. On Day 2, prospects like Washington OT Roger Rosengarten and Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter could be good additions to the team.
Looking back at their previous draft class of 2023, there were no standout players from it on their roster. Their top pick Tyree Wilson had a disappointing rookie season while others like Michael Mayer and Byron Young struggled to make an impact. Fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell showed promise as a backup QB but there were no major successes from that year’s draft class.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr is considered a dream pick for the Raiders due to his ability to push ball down field which would fit well with their receivers’ capabilities.
Overall, with a solid set of picks this year’s draft could be crucial for building up depth on both sides of the ball while addressing key positions of need for Las Vegas raiders
