Silver And Black Pride
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a 4-13 season where they ended up selecting 6th overall and taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Last year saw the impact of a quality 2024 rookie class with TE Brock Bowers being named an All-Pro and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze headlining the Raiders offensive line at center and right tackle. After those three, the class saw little impact with defensive backs Decamerion Richardson (4th round), Trey Taylor (7th round), and MJ Devonshire (7th round) making little impact with Richardson serving as a depth piece, Devonshire ending up released prior to the start of the season, and Taylor e-nding up on injured reserve. Midround selection Tommy Eichenberg and Dylan Laube served as depth, but weren’t notable. Las Vegas is going to be relying on their 2024 class to take a jump in their sophomore year to pair with their incoming rookie class in order for the team to take a significant jump.
Brock Bowers is going to be an elite tight end year after year after year in the NFL, he’s a phenomenal athlete with elite route running, strong hands, and a phenomenal IQ for the game. Bowers is likely to be a continual All-Pro and Pro-Bowler year after year with the potential for him to eventually win an OPOY award as well. Bowers is coming off a season where he posted 112 receptions, 1194 yards, and five touchdowns so the numbers this season should be relatively similar if not a touch better in terms of yards and touchdowns. The additions of Ashton Jeanty could make redzone targets less likely as they’ll opt for more focus on the run game. The Raiders also really like third year tight end Michael Mayer who could take pressure off Bowers at times. Despite this, new quarterback Geno Smith is very fond of the tight end, completing nearly 30% of his attempts to the position over the last two seasons and that shouldn’t change in Las Vegas.
Powers-Johnson allowed 23 pressures and 2 sacks last season with most of his time coming at center, with a transition to right guard in place this year there’s a likelihood his numbers stay the same or get a touch worse in terms of sacks and pressures allowed simply due to the nature of the position. Powers-Johnson is going to remain a high end run blocker, and that will likely become more beneficial with his move to guard as the Raiders can opt for clear running lanes designed behind him unlike at center. In terms of pass protection, I’d expect Powers-Johnson to remain about the same. He’s a refined player with great intangibles, a strong lower half, and a knack for being a bully in the run game. For what it’s worth, I don’t see Alex Cappa replacing Powers-Johnson as the week one starter either.
