Way-too-early Las Vegas Raiders 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is on April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The Las Vegas Raiders missed the playoffs for a second straight season, but they might be on the upswing. After the team fired Josh McDaniels after Week 8, it went 5-4 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who was eventually hired for the full-time gig. The Raiders must make the most of the 2024 NFL Draft to capitalize on the momentum.

2023 record: 8-9 | First-round pick: No. 13 | Team needs: QB, DT, CB
Potential first-round picks: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan; Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The Raiders desperately need a franchise QB. Las Vegas reportedly plans to cut Jimmy Garoppolo — who threw more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven) in six starts — shortly after the start of the league year on March 13. Aidan O'Connell, meanwhile, completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 TDs, seven picks and a below-average 40.5 QBR in 10 starts.

Per The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, general manager Tom Telesco is mulling trading up with the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5 overall), New York Giants (No. 6 overall) and Tennessee Titans (No. 7 overall). If Las Vegas moves up to this range, it could target national champion McCarthy. NFL.com rated the 21-year-old as the fourth-best QB in the draft class.

The Raiders could stay at No. 13 and get star DE Maxx Crosby more help. In 2023, the three-time Pro Bowler played on 1,081 defensive snaps in 17 games, the second-highest mark of his career. While he's one of the best pass-rushers in the league, this pace isn't sustainable.  

In 2023, Pro Football Focus gave Murphy a 91.1 grade, the second-best at his position. The Athletic's NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler pointed out that the 6-foot, 297-pounder led DTs in pass-rush win rate (19.6 percent in 14 games). 

While the Raiders defense improved under Pierce, the secondary could use more depth. Starting CB Amik Robertson is a free agent, and Nate Hobbs missed four games with an ankle injury.  

Arnold had five interceptions, forced 14 incompletions and allowed a below-average 50.7 passer rating in 14 games. ESPN draft analyst Field Yates rated him as his No. 1 CB in the class, touting his instincts and physical play style.