B+
Las Vegas Raiders
Grand theft in No. 173: the Raiders steal Simpson and grade out a B+.
by Tankrum ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 5 steals
· 0 reaches
The rest of the league will want that one back. Jaylin Simpson tumbling to the Raiders in pick No. 173 is a gift they did not have to think twice about. A sturdy weekend that grades out a B+.
For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. The imported veterans give this class a floor the draft picks could not on their own. The hoard sets up next April more than it helps this September.
They trusted the board more than the depth chart.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
A quiet steal in the 44th pick: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for less than the market said. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
The board had Matt Goncalves higher than pick No. 112, and the offensive lineman fell to them anyway. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
No drama and no debate, Isaiah Adams went about where he belonged in Round 4, Pick 15. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Ben Sinnott at pick 150 is the proof. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Fair-plus on Jaylen Wright, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It fills a real need, too.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Zion Tupuola-Fetui in No. 168. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Steal is underselling it; Jaylin Simpson at the 173rd overall pick is a heist with the alarm still ringing. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Christian Jones in the Round 6 slot is fair value, right on his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They let Zakhari Franklin come to them and pounced at the Round 7 slot. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.