The Las Vegas Raiders were back in action for the first time in seven months when they took the field to take on the Minnesota Vikings in preseason Week 1, a game that saw Las Vegas lose on a last-second field goal.
In the process of the Raiders playing their first (exhibition) game of 2024, we got our first look at the team's most recent draft class, as tight end Brock Bowers, offensive tackle DJ Glaze, cornerbacks Decamerion Richardson and M.J. Devonshire, running back Dylan Laube and safety Trey Taylor all played.
The two members of the 2024 draft class who didn't suit up were linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson. For that, they get an incomplete grade.
Now, let's see how we graded the performances of each of the members of the 2024 draft class who did suit up on Saturday.
TE Brock Bowers: A
Bowers caught two passes for 25 yards and his yards after catch ability was on full display. He also showed off his versatility, with the tight end catching those passes from the outside and out of the fullback spot. He also lined up inline and in the slot.
Brock Bowers’ alignment on 11 snaps last night:
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) August 11, 2024
TE - 4
Wide - 3
Backfield - 3
Slot - 1
Bowers had two pass-block reps, according to Pro Football Focus, and posted a solid 72.5 grade in that area. He didn't fare as well with this three run-blocking snaps (56.4 grade), but that was a tiny blip on the radar of what was an impressive debut.
G Jackson Powers-Johnson: Incomplete
Powers-Johnson did not play in preseason Week 1 as he continues to recover from injury. However, it appears he has a shot to return following the team's preseason Week 2 game, according to head coach Antonio Pierce.
OT DJ Glaze: C-
Glaze played both left and right tackle in his debut and helped blow up the first drive of the second half after allowing a sack from the left side. Glaze didn't allow another pressure outside of that one. He finished with grades of 46.9 and 57.9 in pass-blocking and run-blocking, respectively.
Clearly there's still work to be done, but that's to be expected with all the rookies. It remains unlikely that Glaze will unseat Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle before the season starts, though.
CB Decamerion Richardson: C-
Richardson was targeted once and surrendered 24 yards on the reception, leading to a coverage grade of 58.6 and a passer rating of 118.8. He tallied a pair of tackles in his debut, as well. Definitely not a terrible first showing for the rookie, but not a great one, either.
LB Tommy Eichenberg: Incomplete
Eichenberg did not dress for the preseason opener. It isn't clear exactly what he's dealing with that led to his absence.
RB Dylan Laube: B-
Laube entered the game in the third quarter and immediately ripped off a 13-yard run on his first carry. Unfortunately, it was tough sledding from there, as the third-team offensive line was dreadful, leading to Laube finishing with four carries for eight yards. Laube didn't reel in his lone target in the passing game, but it was a dreadful pass from Anthony Brown.
Laube had a pair of pass-blocking snaps and notched an impressive grade of 73.8 in them. It's tough to hold the lackluster stats against the New Hampshire product, who managed to flash as a runner and blocker. Hopefully he gets a chance to play with a better supporting cast in the preseason games to come.
S Trey Taylor: C
Taylor was targeted three times and gave up two receptions for 20 yards, which led to a coverage grade of 53.1 and a passer rating of 85.4. The Air Force product also posted three tackles.
Taylor is going to have to do more if he wants to make the cut at what is a strong position group
CB M.J. Devonshire: F
Devonshire had the roughest outing of the young defensive backs on this list. Not only did he surrender a pair of completions for 50 yards, one of them went for a touchdown on a 45-yard pass that saw Devonshire get cooked by Vikings wide receiver Trishton Jackson.
Devonshire ended up with a 46.1 coverage grade and allowed a perfect passer rating of 158.3. He did have a tackle, but that's not going to get it done. The rookie was in the backup spot at slot cornerback on the first unofficial depth chart, but that may change after this performance.
