The Las Vegas Raiders are evaluating which young 2024 NFL Draft prospects they want to add to their team.
The Raiders found a few players in last year’s draft who have become essential building blocks for their future. They will hope to find more in this year’s draft. Armed with nine draft picks, the Raiders have a good shot at building a young core.
Under Coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders created a strong defensive identity. From their pass rush to their secondary, each player competed at a high level. Pierce and new General Manager Tom Telesco will look for players who will come in and do the same.
One of those players could be Penn State defensive end/linebacker Adisa Isaac. A First-Team All-Big Ten member in 2023, Isaac had a good week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., to potentially improve his stock.
Isaac finished his Nittany Lions career with 92 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and 14.5 sacks. He and fellow NFL hopeful Chop Robinson formed a dynamic pass-rush duo for former Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense.
On tape, Isaac looks like a pass-rush specialist. He has solid size at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. He has long arms that allow him to get leverage against his offensive line match-up. He is incredibly athletic, getting off the line of scrimmage consistently.
That athleticism is what makes Isaac such an intriguing prospect. He is quick to get off the snap and is a good mover. His fluid lower body allows him to twist and bend against linemen. He has an array of pass-rush moves he puts to use and uses his athleticism to his advantage in that department as well.
According to Pro Football Focus, Isaac generated 33 total pressures in 2023. He projects to be at his best at the next level when he is pinning his ears back and getting after the quarterback.
However, Isaac may be limited to just that. He is a bit undersized, and that disadvantage shows up on tape. He will not always be able to rely on his quickness in the NFL and could get bodied by professional linemen.
He is also an inconsistent tackler, occasionally over-pursuing a ball carrier and taking a bad angle. If he cannot improve against the run, he may not be a three-down player in the NFL.
Isaac is projected to be a second or third-round selection. If the Raiders want an athletic presence off the edge to get after the quarterback on third down, Isaac could fit what they want to do.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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