The Raiders opened training camp last week, welcoming several new faces to the practice field. From Jimmy Garoppolo to Jakobi Meyers, general manager Dave Ziegler was busy on the free agent market. But perhaps the most promising part of the offseason came during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Rookies Could Make Or Break The Raiders 2023 Season
On the defensive side of the ball, Tyree Wilson and Byron Young are legitimate starters when healthy. Christopher Smith II could win a starting role at safety at training camp, while the same is true for Jakorian Bennett at cornerback. But what about the offense?
Tight end Michael Mayer was the top-graded player at his position on most Big Boards heading into the event — including mine. The Notre Dame product is a polished route runner with the prototypical build for an every-down star. He regularly served as the top option in the passing game for the Irish and has a slew of dominant blocking reps.
Another first-year player aiming for a roster spot at training camp is third-rounder Tre Tucker. A wideout from Cincinnati, Tucker served as a field stretcher and return man with the Bearcats. The 5-foot-9 speedster is best known for his long track record of fielding kicks on special teams (72 returns).
The Raiders offensive coordinator shares early thoughts on the rookie class
Offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi likes what the front office put together at the NFL Draft. When asked about the rookies, Lombardi spoke at length about two in particular — Mayer and Tucker.
“I mean Michael [Mayer], obviously he made a couple plays today, which is good to see in the passing game,” Lombardi explained. “Again, hopefully, he can translate that to the running game and stuff like that tomorrow.”
It is still early in training camp; ideally, Mayer will prove to be the all-around threat that Lombardi speaks of. If his tape at Notre Dame is any indicator, he possesses the necessary traits to be one of the better tight ends in the NFL.
As for Tucker, the Raiders are pumping the brakes a tad. “And then Tre Tucker, first of all, no one I think has all the answers when they come into the league,” the first-time offensive coordinator said. In a loaded pass-catching room, Tucker’s biggest contributions will likely come on special teams, giving the youngster ample time to learn the ropes at wide receiver.
Wrapping up his point on Mayer and Tucker, Lombardi went on to say, “And it’s tough as a rookie, and I think those guys have done a good job coming in here and just taking the coaching. And they really were working hard to kind of, I would say, just grow. And you hope to see that in practice with a young player. It’s very, very fun to see with any young player at any position.”
Did the franchise find a gem in the fourth round?
Lombardi then was asked about the most important position in football, and thus the Raiders’ new-look quarterback room. Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer are entrenched atop the depth chart, as both veterans were brought in to implement McDaniels’ scheme. The arrival of these two gives fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell plenty of cushion as he develops.
Lombardi echoed this sentiment by saying, “I think Aidan [O’Connell] is just like the other two [rookies] you asked about before. It’s just becoming a sponge and trying to play fast and play NFL quarterback and learn the offense. I think the time he spent on it has been coming to fruition in practice.”
O’Connell is still a work in progress, but having Garoppolo and Hoyer to learn behind is invaluable. I have my doubts about the Purdue signal-caller becoming a franchise quarterback. But, perhaps with patience, the Raiders will make all other 31 franchises look silly for passing on the talented passer multiple times.
What say you, Raider Nation?
O’Connell has zero competition on the roster in terms of young, ascending talent behind him. The line to the backup quarterback role is within reach for the rookie, even if the most likely outcome is taking a “redshirt” season behind the two veterans. He has shown enough to elicit some excitement for the future.
Mayer is a bona fide top-of-the-depth-chart player if he continues on this trajectory, making it well worth his second-round value. On the other hand, Tucker, a third-round pick, is unlikely to see much action on offense as a rookie. No matter how great of a kick/punt returner he is, does that justify a top-100 selection?
According to Lombardi, yes. But with a caveat — patience is required. The best football still lies ahead for Mayer and Tucker (and hopefully O’Connell). Raiders fans will hope that each player reaches their ceiling — whatever that may be — while donning the Silver and Black.
*Top Photo: Chris Unger/Getty Images
