The Las Vegas Raiders have made three solid selections after drafting Fernando Mendoza, but they still need a receiver.
Most of the draft was considered an undercard for the Las Vegas Raiders after they selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, but they’ve actually gotten fairly high grades for their first two post-Mendoza selections, safety Treydan Stukes, edge rusher Keyron Crawford and guard Trey Zuhn III. The Raiders traded down from No. 36 to get Zuhn, who was apparently a priority pick in their ongoing offensive-line rebuild.
Safety was an underrated need going into this draft for the Raiders, but Stukes has the ability to play all over the secondary with elite speed and ballhawking skills, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Stukes had a six year career at Arizona, so he’ll be expected to contribute right away.
“I think every time that ball’s in the air, I want to get it back for our offense because scoring points wins games,” Stukes said. “I think a lot of teams, and honestly, football as a whole has kind of recognized the value of turnovers, and I value that as highly as anything on the football field.”
Crawford was a surprising selection given the number of edge rushers the Raiders now have ffter free agency and the failed attempt to trade defensive end Maxx Crosby, but Crawford earned All-SEC honors last year at Auburn.
Zuhn was praised for his versatility, and while he projects to play guard, the Raiders think he can play all five offensive line positions “at a high level,” according to assistant GM Brian Stark, and provide an edge wherever he plays.
“He’s a guy that has kind of been on the radar for a couple of years,” assistant general manager Brian Stark said. “He’s always played with that temperament, and then now with that added versatility to his game, I mean, it just increased his value as a player.”
The big perceived need now is at wide receiver. The current group is underwhelming to say the least, although the Raiders did add Jalen Nailor, who’s considered an underrated receiver, in free agency.
Warren mentioned Byce Lance, younger brother of QB Trey Lance, as one possibility out of North Dakota State, and Elijah Sarratt, Mendoza’s go-to receiver at Indiana, is also still available. But GM John Spytek refused to go there about the receiver possibility, offering a bland quote that said nothing.
“We’re just going to keep trying to identify the really good football players that want to be Raiders and lay it on the line for their teammates,” Spytek said. “We’ve got a lot of really good ones left, too. We’ve got six picks left tomorrow, and we’re thrilled and excited about that challenge and that opportunity tomorrow.”