B-
Las Vegas Raiders
Penix Jr. is the Raiders' new face under center. Grade: B-.
by sportelaspgmailcom ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Raiders spent their marquee pick on Michael Penix Jr., and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. They are betting Hall Jr. proves the room right and everyone else wrong. If one pick saves this weekend, it is Puni.
The trade work was a quiet net positive.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
Michael Penix Jr. at the 9th pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Xavier Worthy. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They jumped the gun on Michael Hall Jr., taking him earlier than his grade liked. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Dominick Puni in pick 112 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Nehemiah Pritchett at the Round 5 slot is money in the bank, a cornerback taken below his worth. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Ethan Driskell at pick No. 190 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Blake Watson slipping to Round 7, Pick 14 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.