Saturday, May 18, 2024

Las Vegas Raiders 2024 NFL power rankings post-draft roundup

Throughout the 2024 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a post-NFL draft roundup for the Las Vegas Raiders in our consensus 2024 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 25

Most improved: Defensive tackle

Signing an elite free agent in Christian Wilkins, who brings 20.5 career sacks with him to Las Vegas, does more than improve the position from a pass-rush perspective -- it makes the Raiders' defense potentially a top-10 unit. Wilkins, who had a career-high 9.0 sacks for the Dolphins last season, had more sacks in 2023 than fellow Raiders DTs John Jenkins (3.5), Matthew Butler (0.5), Byron Young (0) and Nesta Jade Silvera (0) have combined in their careers. But DT Adam Butler had 5.0 of his 22.0 career sacks for Las Vegas last season. Adding Wilkins should also stop offensive lines from double-teaming Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby so much. -- Paul Gutierrez

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

Once six quarterbacks -- namely Michael Penix Jr. -- went off the board ahead of the Raiders' pick, it really streamlined their options. But getting Brock Bowers at No. 13? That's a steal to me, until proven otherwise. Maybe Penix would have qualified as the all-time honorary Al Davis selection if the Raiders had taken a first-round gamble on him, but as a high-upside athletic playmaker, Bowers isn't far off. Bowers can help this team, and people freaking out about having multiple quality tight ends (Bowers and Michael Mayer) will hopefully see that down the road. The QB duo of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell might not be the most spine-tingling combination, but giving them a decent cast of targets can't hurt. The defense also should carry a fairly heavy share of the load. No, this isn't yet a Super Bowl-caliber roster, but the Raiders have gotten better this offseason.

MORE: 2024 NFL Strength of Schedule

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

Is it Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell at quarterback? By failing to land a quarterback in the draft, that's what they are left with in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

USA Today -- Rank: 24

They remain a quarterback away, seemingly by their own admission. Yet they won't be pushovers, either, bridge QB Gardner Minshew II — a Pro Bowler in 2023 for whatever that's worth anymore — a good Sin City bet to roll from a very hot table on many weeks ... and be a cooler on others.

The Athletic -- Rank: 25

The Raiders were rumored to be in the quarterback trade market but stayed in their draft slot and took the best player available — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. It was a very un-Vegas move. Then they compounded the common sense by taking offensive linemen with their next two picks.

Fox Sports -- Rank: 28

There's too much talent in Las Vegas for a ranking this low. The Raiders have a feisty defense, now headlined by Christian Wilkins along with Maxx Crosby. Davante Adams is still a top-tier receiver. But how high can the ceiling really be without a better option at quarterback? Gardner Minshew was good enough to nearly win the AFC South, but something tells me that's not going to happen in Patrick Mahomes' division.

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