The NFL Draft is an inexact science. Some players seem to check every box but fail to become impact players at the next level, while others get brushed aside but turn out to be stars. In his first draft as GM of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tom Telesco is looking to find some impact players.
He was certainly able to do that during his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers, selecting the likes of Keenan Allen, Derwin James, Joey Bosa and Justin Herbert during his time there. Telesco has certain things he looks for when evaluating prospects, and that won’t change now that he’s with the Raiders.
Telesco recently discussed this, in particular talking about what he saw in Herbert and Bosa. The Raiders general manager noted that it’s about more than talent when he’s deciding who to take, via Aidan Champion of Sports Illustrated:
“Those two guys, it’s really the work ethic and preparation part of it because, like I said, the league is so talented,” Telesco told the media on Monday. “And with Joey [Bosa], I remember at the combine, he was competing with those drills like it was a game day. He was soaked in sweat, he was focusing every single drill he did, he would go back to the bench and sit down, he was kind of preparing for the next drill. That, to me, meant more than the actual times, and actually, how the drills looked. Just watched how he worked.
“And Justin Herbert was similar where everything he just attacked everything like it was so important. And especially with a quarterback, preparation is so big. So, I just think in this league, it’s got to be more than just talent. You got to have some other things that go along with that because everybody is so good and you need to keep developing and improving over time. You can’t level out in this league or else somebody passes you by.
“So, as we talked about, it’s more than just talent, it’s got to be some intangibles with it. Those two guys have that.”
It is those intangibles that make all the difference with these prospects. But there is no real way to measure these things which is why certain players fall through the cracks. The Raiders know this very well, as Maxx Crosby falls into that category, and Telesco hopes to find more players who fit that mold.
The Raiders are not far off from competing in the AFC and if Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce can come together and nail this draft, the Raiders could be poised to take a leap this season.
Raiders eyeing Michael Penix Jr. in first round of NFL Draft?
One thing that must happen for this to be a successful draft for Tom Telesco is the Raiders nailing their first-round pick. There have been many reports on whether the Raiders will go quarterback or not, but the team is reportedly a fan of Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
One NFL insider believes the Raiders are considering taking Penix with their first-round pick. If the team remains at 13, the Washington star could be the best available at that position, and if Telesco and the Raiders feel he can take them to the next level, they may pull the trigger.
More must-reads: