Las Vegas Offensive $500,476.8 Bold Trade In The First Round Of The Draft In The NFL For 2024….
Among the draft prospects the Las Vegas Raiders are considering is reportedly Colorado linebacker Derrick McClendon.
McClendon, from Decater, Georgia, transferred from Florida State to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado as a graduate student. He played in 12 games and had two starts and had 17 tackles.
The edge-rusher played in 38 games at Florida State and had 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
How he’d fit in with Raiders:
He is known as a lanky, smart developmental pass-rusher who has played at the
McClendon had a good pro day in Boulder and he does play a premium position where potential is valued. Right now, he is probably a late-round draft pick or a priority free-agent. The Raiders have a late sixth-round pick and two seventh-round choices. McClendon could be in that wheelhouse.
McClendon had a good pro day in Boulder and he does play a premium position where potential is valued. Right now, he is probably a late-round draft pick or a priority free-agent. The Raiders have a late sixth-round pick and two seventh-round choices. McClendon could be in that wheelhouse.
Tom Telesco has struck big and fast and the Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly agreed to terms with Miami Dolphins standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to NFL Media.
Wilkins was widely considered of the top two of three free agents available regardless of position by most league experts. It was considered a surprise when the Miami Dolphins didn’t give Wilkins the franchise tag last weeks. There were several teams reportedly interested in signing Wilkins, but Telesco pounced quickly with the massive contract to secure Wilkins.
The Raiders were expected to have interest in the top pending free agent, defensive tackle Chris Jones, but he re-signed with the Chiefs on Saturday night. Wilkins is the next best thing.
The Raiders have badly needed a difference maker on the interior defensive front and Wilkins is a perfect solution. He is considered a premier run stuffer and he had a career nine sacks in 2023.
Raiders’ coach Antonio Pierce said he wanted a top defensive lineman and the Raiders certainly accomplished that with this agreement.
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In their 2024 quarterback mock draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have the Las Vegas Raiders taking South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler with the 77th overall pick.
“Signing Gardner Minshew II this offseason and drafting Aidan O’Connell in the fourth round last year likely won’t keep the Raiders out of the QB running,” wrote Miller and Reid. “It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders trade back into the later parts of the first round to add a QB, but with five signal-callers off the board early in this scenario, looking to Rattler makes sense.”
The Raiders have the 13th overall pick in the draft. However, top QB prospects, such as Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams, may fly off the board.
A general manager recently told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini they could see quarterbacks go with the first four picks in the draft.
Las Vegas could try to trade up, but it’s costly. In 2023, Carolina dealt two first-rounders and star wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears, acquiring the first overall pick. The Panthers selected QB Bryce Young, who posted a below-average 33.4 QBR in 16 games.
In five seasons at Oklahoma and South Carolina, Rattler completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 77 TDs, 32 interceptions and an above-average 152.2 passer rating. Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema rates him as the seventh-best QB in the draft class and thinks he has upside.
“Rattler has a mature game with fundamentals and pocket presence in addition to good accuracy in and out of structure,” wrote Sikkema. “His arm is adequate, but he needs to continue to improve at seeing additional coverage defenders post-snap. He projects as a Day 2 QB with starting potential.”
While the Raiders should try to find an answer at the most crucial position in the draft’s first round, taking Rattler seems like a solid backup plan.