With the 2024 NFL Draft almost here, Pro Football Focus has put out power rankings ahead of Thursday's event, and in it the Las Vegas Raiders are getting no respect.
According to PFF's Amelia Probst, the Raiders are a bottom-six team in the NFL ahead of the draft, with Las Vegas landing at No. 27 on the list. Here's the write-up:
The Raiders signed Christian Wilkins to help their defensive line, which ranked 20th in PFF grade last season. The duo of Maxx Crosby and Wilkins is going to take this ascending Raiders defense to even greater heights in 2024.
The Raiders already had an ascending defense before the addition of Wilkins, who will no doubt bolster the unit big time.
And, Las Vegas was nearly a playoff team last season, even before his addition and with a rookie quarterback in Aidan O'Connell under center. Not to mention, the team also had to deal with a coaching change in the middle of the season and actually thrived after it, putting together a 5-4 record after a 3-5 start.
Things figure to at least be the same with a full year under head coach Antonio Pierce, and there's an argument to be made that the Raiders should be better, especially if they can hit on a few draft picks that contribute immediately.
After being the weakest link last season, the offense should be improved thanks to a better situation at quarterback, no matter who starts. O'Connell will have a year under his belt this time around and Gardner Minshew will be better than the rookie version of the Purdue product.
Nobody is saying the Raiders are going to win a Super Bowl this year, but they should contend for a playoff spot, at least. As such, their ranking should be higher than that.
