This best-player-available thing is not so bad, huh?
A day after adding tight end/slot receiver/H-back Brock Bowers in the first round, the Las Vegas Raiders drafted a mean guard in Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round on Friday. The Raiders then drafted for need in the third round, taking Maryland tackle DJ Glaze in the third round.
The Raiders could still use a cornerback and maybe a receiver or safety — and we’ll see if general manager Tom Telesco keeps picking for needs like most GMs do.
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One has to figure that the Raiders would also like to add a developmental quarterback, though it’s pretty thin at this end of the draft. After an absurd six quarterbacks were drafted in the first 12 picks on Thursday night, none went in the second and third rounds on Friday.
Arkansas’ Spencer Rattler has a pedigree and Florida State’s Jordan Travis is a fun wild card. Tennessee’s Joe Milton has a cannon and escapability, but he has no idea where the ball is going. Tulane’s Michael Pratt and BYU’s Kedon Slovis have a lot of experience, but they lack arm strength, while Kentucky’s Devin Leary is wildly inconsistent.
Here’s a breakdown of the best available prospects remaining going into Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday. The Raiders have five picks left: Nos. 112, 148, 208, 223 and 229.
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Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft picks 2024: Grades, fits and scouting reports
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Rattler is undersized at 6-foot, 211 pounds, but he has special arm talent and plenty of experience as a four-year college starter. If he can bulk up and protect the football better, he could grow into a starter. After a record-tying six QBs went in the first round Thursday, none were selected in the second or third rounds Friday. When will the next run on QBs begin?
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
A very intriguing prospect, Hicks can play in the box and cover — yes, even tight ends like Travis Kelce. The Raiders don’t really need a safety, but they have met with Hicks as much as any player in the last few months.
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
While Tampa doesn’t have exceptional size or athletic traits, his instincts, footwork and ball skills made him a productive player at Iowa State. He’s adept at both man and zone coverages and could compete for a starting role.
Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
Dorlus is light for a defensive tackle at 283 pounds but has surprising power, is an explosive athlete and had consistent production at Oregon. He can line up at both defensive end and defensive tackle and projects as more of a rotational pass rusher than a full-time starter.
Day 3 feels like a good time to add a running back, and Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright checks several boxes. (Randy Sartin / USA Today)
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
There’s not a lot of wear and tear (368 career carries) and Wright can break off long runs. If you’re fine with the committee of White, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, never mind.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
The knocks on Trotter are his lack of size and speed, but his dad taught him the game well and all he did in college was make plays.
DJ James, CB, Auburn
James has good coverage skills and athletic ability, but at 6-foot, 175 pounds, he needs some time in the weight room and some work in the run game.
Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
A four-year starter with good size and some physicality, Carson needs some coaching up on his coverage and the angles he takes.
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Hart was a 6-foot-3 team captain who fared well against Marvin Harrison Jr. and impressed at the Senior Bowl and combine. He needs to work on his ball skills.
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Despite being undersized, he never stops going. Wingo would quickly become a Maxx Crosby favorite.
Brendan Rice, WR, USC
He can run a mean route, and as long as you don’t think he can make plays like his dad, Jerry, you will be adding a nice piece to your receiver room.
Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross
There is an opening for a receiver on the Raiders roster after Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, and Coker would be a nice building block who can contribute a little bit now with his route running and great hands. He didn’t need great speed to dominate the Ivy League, which is the question mark going forward.
Florida State QB Jordan Travis could be worth a late-round pick if the Raiders don’t take Spencer Rattler earlier. (Charles LeClaire / USA Today)
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Travis was great when plays broke down in college, but he needs work on his fundamentals. He is also coming back from a leg injury that wiped out the Seminoles’ perfect season. He has gotten better every year and has enough arm strength plus the leadership and toughness the Raiders want. Travis feels pressure in the pocket better than many of the quarterbacks who will go higher in the draft. If they don’t land Rattler, maybe he’s worth a late-round shot.
Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
Oladapo is an elite downhill player and tackler. NFL teams like to throw the ball, though, which leaves him as a developmental safety and impact special teams player.
Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
He is 6-1 and can cover, but Hadden is not that fast and the run support is often lacking. But did we mention that he is 6-1 and can cover?
Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
You’ve gotta love this guy. McGlothern is a long, 6-foot-2 ballhawk with good eyes and serious ball skills. He had some of the prettiest plays on film in this draft. McGlothern also likes to gamble — pump-and-go routes are his kryptonite — and that plus his average speed were reasons he also has some of the worst plays you will see on film. Run defense is not really his thing either. But hey, it’s late in the draft — time for the assistant coaches to earn their money.
(Top photo of Spencer Rattler: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)
