The Las Vegas Raiders added seven players via the NFL Draft, but they weren’t finished adding pieces to the puzzle as the team signed eight undrafted free agents.
The three-day marathon that is the NFL Draft is now over. In all, the Las Vegas Raiders made seven selections and addressed a handful of needs in the process. Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock clearly understood that the team’s receiving corps needed some improvements, as just about half of their picks were wide receivers.
The organization got off to a fast start with Henry Ruggs III (pun intended) and went on to take Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards back-to-back in the third-round. Granted, Mayock said Bowden will be a running back on day one, but the former Wildcat’s (pun not intended) versatility allows him to contribute out wide as well.
Cornerback was the Raiders’ next-biggest need, so Gruden and Mayock double-dipped at the position. Damon Arnette was a bit of a surprise with the 19th overall selection, and the team got a steal in the fourth-round with Amik Robertson.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mike Mayock draft without taking at least a couple of Clemson players. Tanner Muse and John Simpson will join their collegiate teammates, Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen, and Hunter Renfrow in Las Vegas. Linebacker has been a long-standing issue for the Silver and Black and Muse will add some quality depth to the position group, while Simpson gives the team more flexibility in regards to what to do with Gabe Jackson.
While the Raiders added some quality players over the last three days, the additions weren’t over as the team signed eight talented players who went undrafted. Last season, the organization found a few diamonds in the rough as Alec Ingold, Andre James, and Keisan Nixon among others were picked up after the draft.
The Silver and Black hope to find a few more gems in this year’s class, and here is a look at what they bring to the table.