The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2023 NFL season has yet to end. However, that doesn’t mean that draft experts aren’t already compiling mock drafts for the 2024 NFL Draft. So, what’s in store for the Silver and Black next spring via ESPN? It’s not a quarterback.
Under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders might not be bad enough to have a crack at the top quarterbacks in next year’s draft. As a result, the team will have to consider other needs. ESPN’s experts put their heads together and came up with a player that makes sense for Las Vegas to draft.
ESPN: The Raiders will go offensive with their 2024 first-round pick
Pierce must have the Raiders compete in games to keep the head coaching job permanently. The team has responded well to their new [interim] head coach; the newfound swagger in Sin City might rule out Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Assuming Las Vegas does in fact stay competitive, where do the Silver and Black go with their first-round pick in 2024?
ESPN predicts the offensive line will be where the focus is in round one, assuming the pick isn’t traded. The Raiders’ offensive line has some key pieces, most notably Kolton Miller, but it can be improved. Who do the experts have Las Vegas picking? They have the Silver and Black selecting Alabama’s offensive tackle J.C. Latham.
Now, an offensive lineman from Alabama gives Raider Nation bad flashbacks of the franchise selecting Alex Leatherwood – which didn’t work out, to put it nicely. Still, ESPN’s Matt Miller believes the Raiders picking Latham wouldn’t be a reach, unlike the Leatherwood selection.
“Right tackle is definitely a need and has become a premium position,” Miller wrote. “Latham is the top right tackle in the class and my next-highest tackle overall.
“He’s NFL-ready coming out of Alabama, and unlike Alex Leatherwood, he has the power and mobility to step into the lineup as a rookie and be a quality contributor. He has allowed two sacks over three seasons, including 23 starts.”
Who else could the Raiders go with?
While the unanimous selection among the experts is Latham, they do throw out other names. The Raiders’ secondary is still an area which could use improvement, even with the defense taking major steps forward this season. Cornerback is the primary position they see Las Vegas attempting to improve.
Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of the names floated in the discussion. However, they note that his play has been irregular this season, but the highlight plays are eyebrow-raising. Another Crimson Tide player who could be on the Raiders’ radar for secondary help is Terrion Arnold.
Nonetheless, the experts have Las Vegas looking at Alabama, whether it’s offensive line or secondary. If the Raiders go to that university to select a player, they’re hopeful it’s better than the last time they chose a player in the first.
*Top Photo: AP/Steve Marcus