The Las Vegas Raiders saw both praise and criticism for their 2024 NFL Draft haul, but one outlet is giving them the former for a pair of their selections in the three-day event.
According to Pro Football Focus, tight end Brock Bowers, who was taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round was listed among the biggest steals on Day 1. Here's what PFF had to say about that:
Bowers at No. 13 to the Raiders appeared to be an awkward fit, with Michael Mayer already a budding player for the team, but this could turn out to be a savvy move to zig while the rest of the league zags, allowing Las Vegas to frequently operate in 12 personnel.
Topping the 85th percentile in three of PFF’s most stable metrics, Bowers saw only nine contested targets in 2022 while creating easy separation against SEC linebackers and defensive backs. He consistently made splashes after the catch, with 7.6 yards after the catch per reception, and ranked second among Power Five tight ends in yards per route run.
The next pick the Raiders made, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, also made the cut as one of the biggest steals on Day 2. PFF wrote the following on JPJ:
A first-round-caliber player for many, Powers-Johnson might well be the best interior offensive lineman in the class. He should slot in as an instant starter at guard for the Raiders.
The Oregon product posted an elite 90.6 pass-blocking grade in 2023, allowing just one pressure while offering great movement skills to make an impact at the second level as a run-blocker in zone or gap schemes. He will provide a nasty presence on the interior of the Raiders' offensive line.
Bowers was always going to be a high draft pick, and if not for the kind of run on quarterbacks we saw early on, he likely would have been a top-10 pick. Powers-Johnson was also slated to be a first-round pick by many experts, so getting him close to the middle of Round 2 was great value.
If all goes well, Bowers and Powers-Johnson should make an immediate impact in their first year. Bowers' versatility gives the Raiders a slew of ways to use him on offense, and JPJ has a great shot to lock down a starting guard job.
