A-
Las Vegas Raiders
A masterclass at the trade table lands the Raiders a A-.
by Dad0MESS ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 0 reaches
Whoever sat across the table from the Raiders should ask for a receipt. They cleaned the room out, prying loose far more value than they gave up, and it was the quiet MVP of their weekend.
With edge rusher, wide receiver and other spots unsolved, spending premium capital on DT-EDGE is the choice that costs them. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through edge rusher. Getting Smith where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class.
Bottom line, they did the job about as well as it can be done.
Pick-by-Pick
A market-rate quarterback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on J.J. McCarthy. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Nothing to complain about; Patrick Paul went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Payton Wilson at pick 77 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the linebacker. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Maason Smith at DT-EDGE with edge rusher, wide receiver and other spots open.
No drama and no debate, Max Melton went about where he belonged in the 112th overall pick. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Braelon Allen in the Round 5 slot is fair value, right on his grade. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Josh Proctor in slot 190 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Maurice Smith at pick No. 234 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.