B-
Las Vegas Raiders
A franchise passer in Penix Jr. headlines a B- weekend for the Raiders.
by sportelaspgmailcom ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
Start where it matters. The Raiders took Michael Penix Jr. to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one.
That is a tight end worth more than the slot they spent on him, plainly. They punted on interior defensive lineman, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
Nothing here to lose sleep over, and plenty to feel decent about.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 10 they get a long-term answer under center at fair value.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Xavier Worthy. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They will replay Ja'Tavion Sanders at pick 77 for years; that is how good the value is. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A tidy little value on Khyree Jackson in the Round 4 slot, a step better than break-even. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Keith Randolph Jr. at pick No. 150 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Michael Barrett at No. 193 is money in the bank, a linebacker taken below his worth. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
A tidy bit of business in the 234th pick, where Blake Watson graded well above the range. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They liked Maurice Smith enough to skip the value, taking him in slot 235. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.