B
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders drew a line under the quarterback search with Penix Jr.: B.
by Jades357 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 2 steals
· 0 reaches
Start where it matters. The Raiders took Michael Penix Jr. to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one.
The Smith-Wade value carries more weight than any single miss elsewhere. The Raiders indulged a want in Bishop while a need in interior defensive lineman stayed open.
Leaving interior defensive lineman unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. The roster is better shaped than it was, with edge rusher chief among the fixes.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the interior defensive lineman spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 14th overall pick they get their guy under center for the next decade. A real need, handled.
By-the-book stuff, Payton Wilson at pick No. 44 squarely in line with his ranking. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
A straight-up fair deal on Dadrion Taylor-Demerson at Round 3, Pick 20, value and slot in agreement. It adds depth where they could use a little.
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Cole Bishop at safety with interior defensive lineman open.
A clean, defensible pick in slot 121 with a little surplus value in Sataoa Laumea. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Somehow Jamari Thrash was still sitting there in pick 147, and they pounced on premier wide receiver value. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Chau Smith-Wade at the Round 5 slot is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Eric Watts at No. 210 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A market-rate running back, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Rasheen Ali. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
No edge and no loss on Tip Reiman in the 225th pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. The roster fit checks out.
No drama and no debate, Keaton Bills went about where he belonged in pick No. 227. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.