B+
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders drew a line under the quarterback search with McCarthy: B+.
by JayRaider ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 6 steals
· 3 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Raiders watched Jer'Zhan Newton slide 99 picks past his grade and did not hesitate.
Whatever J.J. McCarthy becomes, the front office has tied its fortunes to the answer. They robbed the room blind at the table, and it lifts the grade on its own.
Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. The Jackson pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 14th overall pick they get their guy under center for the next decade, even if it was a touch early. A real need, handled.
Taliese Fuaga at slot 44 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Khyree Jackson in the 77th pick, miles early. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Jer'Zhan Newton in pick No. 112 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. The roster fit checks out.
A cornerback of that caliber at No. 148 is the definition of value, full stop. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They barely believed it either: Jalen McMillan still on the board at Round 5, Pick 34. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Taking Javion Cohen in slot 208 is close to grand larceny; an offensive lineman that good had no business lasting this long. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A slide stopped in the Round 7 slot, with Jaylan Ford worth more than the price. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Josh Proctor in pick 229 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. A minor itch, scratched.