Some 3rd-year players will be battling for spots
Let’s look how the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 rookie class was affected by this offseason’s moves and what to expect from them in 2025:
Six of the nine players from the draft class are currently in the program. They recently cut sixth-round pick, linebacker Amari Burney. They cut third-round pick Byron Young and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles last year. Seventh-round pick, defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera was cut in Week 7 and is now on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.
Tyree Wilson:
There was a report the Raiders could trade the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 draft during the April draft, but nothing developed. Perhaps the team can revisit trading Wilson before the season starts. But it’s likely he will be a backup with hopes of him developing in Year 3. Unless he has a big breakout season, the Raiders will likely be on the road to declining his fifth-season option, making him a free agent after the 2026 season.
Michael Mayer:
The second-round pick from Notre Dame was also subject of trade chatter, but nothing happened. The Raiders didn’t do much this offseason to affect Mayer. He’s a backup to 2024 first-round pick, star Brock Bowers. Mayer had 21 catches for 156 yards in 11 games in 2024. The team wants to see increased productivity from a player who came into the league with a lot of promise.
Tre Tucker:
The speedy third-round pick played played starter’s snaps after the October trade of Davante Adams. Now, he is one of a couple holdovers from last year on a revamped wide-receiver group changed by this year’s draft. Tucker may lose snaps to fourth-round pick Dont’a Thornton. They play the same vertical role. Yes, there is room for both of them, but Tucker didn’t produce much last season, so he is in danger of losing snaps unless he shows he’s ready to take the next step.
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Jakorian Bennett:
The Raiders added Eric Stokes in free agency and drafted Darien Porter to push the competition at cornerback. Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023, was having a solid season before he was injured in 2024. Bennett will have to battle, but he has a chance to start or, at least, be a key rotational player.
Aidan O’Connell:
Like Wilson and Mayer, O’Connell was subject of trade chatter. He could be dealt this summer if a team loses a quarterback to injury or if the team thinks rookie Cam Miller should back up new starter Geno Smith. But for now, we should assume O’Connell, the fourth-round pick in 2023 who has 17 career starts, is the favorite to back up Smith.
Chris Smith:
The fifth-round safety from Georgia was inactive for the last two games after being active for the first 15 games of the season in 2024 and while the Raiders didn’t do a lot in terms of adding safety depth, Smith may be facing an uphill battle to make this team.
Conclusion:
Unless Wilson, Mayer and Tucker make big strides, this draft class may not be remembered for much of an impact in the long run.