With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Las Vegas Raiders, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Las Vegas Raiders rookies?
- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech | Round 1, Pick 7
- Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame | Round 2, Pick 35
- Byron Young, DT, Alabama | Round 3, Pick 70
- Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati | Round 3, Pick 100
- Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland | Round 4, Pick 104
- Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue | Round 4, Pick 135
- Chris Smith, S, Georgia | Round 5, Pick 170
- Amari Burney, LB, Florida | Round 6, Pick 203
- Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State | Round 7, Pick 231
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Class Grade:
The Raiders received a B- rookie class draft grade from PFF, a B- from ESPN, and a B- from NFL Network.
Which Raiders Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Raiders were an ideal landing spot for Tyree Wilson (first round). Though he regularly lined up in a two-point stance at Texas Tech, Wilson’s 6-foot-6 height made it hard for him to play with leverage and set the edge against the run.
That should get easier lining up in a three-point stance in Patrick Graham’s defense. Wilson should serve as a backup to Chandler Jones in 2023, but Las Vegas will save considerable cap space by cutting Jones loose after the season.
Michael Mayer (second round) will immediately push Austin Hooper for playing time. Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities to go around in Las Vegas. Over the last five seasons, the three lowest rates of 12 personnel usage were all Josh McDaniels-coached teams (2018 and 2020 Patriots, and 2022 Raiders),
Mayer is not a dynamic weapon in the passing game. On the most common NFL routes (curl, dig, drag, flat, out, slant, screen), Mayer picked up 5.1% more yards after the catch than expected over the last two seasons, which ranked 11th out of the 14 tight ends drafted from FBS programs.
Additionally, Mayer was targeted on explosive routes (corner, post, deep cross, fade, post, seam) on only 21% of his opportunities, the third-lowest rate in this tight end class.
Byron Young (third round) primarily lined up at defensive end in three-man fronts but will need to adjust to a new role in Graham’s four-man front scheme. Young flashed some pass-rush production at Alabama 一 he ranked fourth among interior pass rushers in the SEC with a 9.4% pressure rate 一 but he’s not a great athlete and may not have much room for growth in that area.
Young will be joined on the defensive line by Nesta Jade Silvera (seventh round), who played a versatile role on the defensive line at Miami and Arizona State. He’s not as athletic as Young, however, and probably fits better in a nose tackle role in the NFL.
Tre Tucker (third round) was a shocking selection, partially because his college teammate Tyler Scott (Bears fourth-round) was expected to come off the board first. Tucker has straight-line speed, but he has not been effective after the catch.
The Raiders don’t have elite speed ahead of Tucker on the depth chart in Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow, so he will have a chance to earn some playing time as a deep threat despite the mediocre college production.
Jakorian Bennett (fourth round) was likely available on Day 3 due to below-average size, but he has elite speed and a proven track record as a ball hawk in the secondary. The secondary is crowded, but no one performed at an unimpeachable level last year, so Bennett will be in the mix to earn snaps as a rookie.
Aidan O’Connell (fourth round) fits as a backup for Jimmy Garoppolo and makes perfect sense as a selection for this front office, most of which came from New England. He’s a pocket passer with impressive accuracy and an ability to get the ball out quickly, traits which have served Garoppolo well.
Christopher Smith (fifth round) is an intelligent free safety with limited versatility. He’s too small for the box and lacks the athleticism for coverage in the slot. Marcus Epps was brought in to replace Duron Harmon at free safety, so Smith should be competing for special teams duty as a rookie.
Amari Burney (sixth round) is a safety/linebacker hybrid who spent most of his career playing on special teams before starting as a fifth-year senior in 2022. New England’s front office has a history of drafting players specifically for special teams roles, and Burney could be their attempt to find the next Nate Ebner.
The Raiders played it safe in the early rounds, taking a best-available approach with Wilson and Mayer. However, for a 6-11 team that used six picks through the first four rounds, Las Vegas came away with surprisingly little in terms of immediate help.