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2024 Raiders Mock Draft: Free Agency Week Edition

Originally posted on Full Press Coverage
By Terrance Biggs | Last updated Mar 14, 2024 5:37 PM ET

After attacking a position of profound need, the Las Vegas Raiders turn their attention towards the 2024 NFL Draft.

When the Las Vegas Raiders signed Christian Wilkins, it kicked off a series of events that will culminate in a hopefully positive draft. Now, with the interior pass rush addressed, the team turns its attention to the rest of the roster. With Antonio Pierce earning the full-time job, he wants a specific type of player. Now, the Raiders, under Pierce wants the aggressive but disciplined player that plays from snap to echo of the whistle. The NFL draft features players that not only possess elite NFL ability but show that innate work ethic that the head coach loves.

Trade

Unlike many mock drafts you will see, the Raiders actually trade down. Why? With the teams ahead of Las Vegas in the draft order, the chances of trading up to snag a quarterback may not be feasible. At this point, the brain trust fully appreciates the ability to slide and grab a pick from another team. In this instance, the Raiders ship the thirteenth-overall pick to the Houston Texans for the twenty-third, and fifty-ninth overall selections.

23rd Overall (Michael Penix, Jr, QB, Washington)

After signing Gardner Minshew to the equivalent of a one-year deal with an option, the Raiders still need a cornerstone quarterback. Aidan O’Connell performed admirably. However, admirable, try-hards should not consistent start games. As a result, Vegas selects the lefty with the cannon arm. More importantly, Penix possesses excellent touch at all the level and the accuracy to generate YAC, instead of wideouts needing to jump, dive or lunge for errant passes. Above all else, Penix provides a strong, confident voice in the huddle.

44th Overall (T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas)

This feels like a Patrick Graham Special. Graham prefers bigger interior linemen. Moreover, adding another defensive lineman opens up the rotation, keeping players fresher for longer. In Sweat, the Raiders can slide in a clogger with excellent power, and leg drive. No one expects double-digits sacks. Instead, Sweat gives the defense someone that will occupy and defeat blocks. Imagine a defense where the front four can get home without blitzing. Remember, that is how the Giants defeated the Patriots: a strong, deep, and versatile defensive line.

59th Overall (Max Melton, CB, Rutgers)

The Chiefs, Chargers, Bengals, Dolphins, Texans stand in the way of the Raiders. Similarly, they all feature explosive passing games. Granted, the Raiders are now talented across the defensive line. Yet, on the outside, they only boast one potential shutdown cornerback. Melton easily mans the slot or outside and will stay hip to hip with the wide receivers all the way down. Constant harassment. Furthermore, Melton drives down in the run game, making himself a factor.

77th Overall (Blake Corum, RB, Michigan)

As mentioned, disciplined violence will be the hallmark of the Pierce Raiders. Under those circumstances, why not draft a running back that runs angry? Corum is not the biggest or fastest. However, he will sprint to the hole, unafraid to of initiating contact. With Zamir White ascending to the starting spot, the Raiders need a back with a similar running style as a backup. In Corum seeing fewer than six touches per game, he will not tire, fold, or wilt.

112th Overall (Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington)

The Raiders, through their offseason have tried to fortify along the line of scrimmage. Yet, the offensive line feels like it still needs a rookie lineman infusion. Rosengarten is quick-footed to meet wide-charging rushers. Most importantly, he finishes a block with nastiness. Yet, he will stay well within the rules but watch for him to climb to the second level on run plays and get to the corner tp seal off defenders. Drafting him opens up a competition at right tackle.At worst, he will provide swing tackle depth.

148th Overall (Dwight McGlothern, S, Arkansas)

McGlothern is a taller corner that uses those limbs to his advantage, by bodying wideout during contested catches. In coverage, he provides smooth coverage that should immediately pay dividends. With divisional rival that will throw far more out of spread sets, talented subpackage players need to see the field with regularity. In what amounts to a value pick, the Raiders should start assembling a better secondary.

208th Overall (Cedric Johnson, EDGE, Mississippi)

During the part of the draft, the Raiders are less concerned with finding starters than developing athletes. Johnson checks the athletic boxes for an edge rusher: speed, size and strength. Despite being not extremely productive in Oxford, the prospect can get home with a combination of power and just enough wiggle to beat tackles. At the next level, Johnson presents as a defensive end prospect that could gain value preseason/garbage time snaps to see him versus live opponents.

223rd Overall (Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri)

Versatile wideout that can operate both out of the backfield, but also on the outside. Flournoy is a fearless player that will catch over the middle, through traffic, knowing the hit is coming. Vertically, he can get even with corners and then push further, forcing a nackpedal sooner than expected. A candidate for the fourth or fifth spot on the receiving depth chart.

228th Overall (Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky)

See ball. Hit ballcarrier. For an athlete like Wallace, this should be his mantra. The film shows the good and bad of the form UK standout. In space, Wallace explodes towards the ball with excellent speed and agility, making the ball carrier pay. Now, the film also displays a player that gets lost in the wash without direction. Pierce being a former linebacker can see the potential and could craft Wallace into a player that could see the field for the Raiders. Howeevr, remember the low-round draft status, expecting hiccups along the way.