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2023 NFL Draft: Instant Analysis and Grades for Every Team’s Picks

By Sayre Bedinger

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Draft
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders seventh overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders

  • 7. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
  • 35. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  • 70. Byron Young, DL, Alabama
  • 100. Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
  • 104. Jakorian Bennett, DB, Maryland
  • 135. Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue
  • 170. Chris Smith, S, Georgia
  • 203. Amari Burney, LB, Florida
  • 231. Nesta Jade Silvera, DL, Arizona State

There were plenty of rumors surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft regarding the quarterback position. Of course, those rumors have been persistent for the last handful of years as the Raiders were only able to make the playoffs a couple of times in Derek Carr’s years with the team, and speculation came up just about every offseason about major QB changes.

They finally made them in 2023 by letting Carr hit the road to New Orleans, bringing in Jimmy Garoppolo to replace him.

The big change offensively is now coupled with the addition of versatile defensive lineman Tyree Wilson, who can play on the interior as well as on the edge. The Raiders made the big move last offseason to get Chandler Jones but that move was considered mostly a disappointment in year one. What can the trio of Jones, Wilson, and Maxx Crosby do together? They have to make sure, if nothing else, they make life tough on those star QBs out west.

Beyond round one, the Raiders might have gotten one of the best Day 2 picks in the league with the acquisition of tight end Michael Mayer. In a loaded tight end class, there were plenty of people who felt like Mayer was the absolute best.

The Raiders traded up on Day 3 to select Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell, an interesting player who will be a factor at some point given Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury history.

One truly head-scratching pick the Raiders made was taking Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker over his teammate Tyler Scott. Perhaps there was something there the whole league knew that we didn’t.

This draft class for the Raiders was top-heavy and the fact that Tyree Wilson is coming off of a Lisfranc injury is a bit concerning. Obviously not concerning enough for the Raiders to pass on him with the 7th overall pick.

Those top two picks are the heavy hitters, and the rest of this draft feels extremely underwhelming.

Grade: C+

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