We've seen general managers and head coaches have interesting ways of describing their 2024 NFL Draft picks and classes as a whole this year, and you can add Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce to the list.
Pierce was asked about the 2024 group, which contains eight players — tight end Brock Bowers, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, offensive tackle Delmar Glaze, cornerback Decamerion Richardson, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, running back Dylan Laube, safety Trey Taylor and cornerback M.J. Devonshire — and he had quite the blunt description for the draft picks.
"We got some gritty, some grimy, nasty, back-alley guys," Pierce said. "And more importantly we got size. I think you look at the two [offensive] lineman, both gritty, tough, physical, [they have] length, power ... It's a very good group of guys ... I think the coolest part about the whole draft was getting on the phone with them and hearing their excitement."
Powers-Johnson, who is expected to man one of the starting guard spots, wasted no time showing those traits during Day 1 of rookie minicamp, where he was quite feisty during one drill, leading to his knocking over a trainer by accident.
Raiders rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson already looks ready to knock someone to the ground in minicamp.
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 10, 2024
Just LISTEN to that sound.
🎥: By @Sean_Zittel, Vegas Sports Today#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/52PK1vzUc1
"I love physicality, I love violence," Powers-Johnson said. "I think that's how the sport should be played. And putting on just the helmet and getting going, it's exciting. We don't have full pads on yet, but I'm excited for that and it's been fun getting to hit a little bit, even if it's just a bag. Sorry to that trainer, too. I'll take him out to dinner."
