The Las Vegas Raiders added eight players during the 2024 NFL Draft, with at least one pick in each round of the three-day event, and two in the seventh.
The class was mostly well-received by experts in the days after, and you can count Chad Reuter of NFL.com as one of the experts, as he named nearly half the group to his "2024 All-Rookie Team" that consists of first year players Reuter deems "instant-impact newcomers."
The three Raiders rookies named to the team are tight end Brock Bowers, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg. Only the Buffalo Bills had that many rookies make the cut on Reuter's squad.
Here's his thoughts on Bowers:
The Raiders should lean on two tight end sets much more often this year, with Bowers lined up at H-back, on the line or in the slot while 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer plays the more typical off-tackle spot. Bowers will be a matchup problem for most linebackers and safeties with his quickness, strength and strong hands, giving Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers a foil to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally. While it’s not the strongest part of his game, Bowers should also earn respect for his run blocking on the outside.
And Powers-Johnson:
Look for Powers-Johnson to be an All-Rookie pick much like past second-round interior offensive linemen Creed Humphrey (Chiefs, 2021), O'Cyrus Torrence (Bills, 2023) and Steve Avila (Rams, 2023). Powers-Johnson starred at center for Oregon last fall but played both guard spots during his career, displaying excellent use of leverage and short-area agility to create blocking angles. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Raiders this year will appreciate the rookie's efforts.
And Eichenberg:
Eichenberg could earn snaps at middle linebacker for the Raiders, allowing Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo to play outside on early downs. The stout run defender is going to make a lot of tackles with Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins and others eating blocks in front of him. He might not spend a lot of time on the field in obvious passing situations, but considering the team ranked 21st against the run in 2023, the former Buckeye fills an important need.
The biggest surprise out of the three to make the cut is Eichenberg, who will be no better than No. 3 on the depth chart, and more than likely No. 4 behind Luke Masterson.
JPJ is expected to grab a starting role in his first season, but that has become a bit more shaky of an expectation after he missed significant time during the spring with an undisclosed injury.
Bowers is the Raiders rookie who is most likely to make the biggest impact in Year 1 thanks to his versatility, which allows him to see the field in just about any situation, even when fellow tight end Michael Mayer is in the game.
