Addressing the media prior to the NFL Draft this week, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco said a lot without really saying much. This isn’t the man’s first rodeo.
While speaking to the media this week in a pre-draft presser, Telesco “elaborated” on the team’s plans for the upcoming event. The biggest takeaway from it all was the possibility of a trade. Raider Nation is clamoring for a quarterback in this draft, namely Jayden Daniels (no disrespect to Aidan O’Connell). However, is the love affair with the Heisman winner just more offseason hype that inevitably ends in disappointment, or is there something brewing?
The Raiders and Tom Telesco plan to be “aggressive” on Thursday night
As Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore pointed out, Telesco made it known that the Raiders plan on being aggressive this Thursday. The key word here is “plan.” That’s because it’ll all likely depend on how things shake out at the top. We all know the Chicago Bears are going with Caleb Williams; the questions begin at No. 2 with the Washington Commanders.
If Daniels is the pick, then what? Do the Raiders move up and get another signal-caller? Maybe the plan is to make a deal with Washington first. Other than that tidbit, there’s not a lot that Telesco could reveal for obvious reasons.
If indeed all options are on the table, anything’s possible. Telesco knows exactly how important those early-round picks are. Considering this is his first draft as Raiders general manager and how much is on the line, he has to know he must nail these selections. It’s a precarious position to be in, for sure. On one hand, the Raiders have a stout defense and could possibly be just a quarterback away from playoff contention. On the other hand, the need for a right tackle and defensive back is highly prevalent.
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