The Las Vegas Raiders have wrapped up their first NFL Draft with head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek at the helm, selecting 11 players in a class defined by speed, versatility, and high-end athletic traits.
A standout statistic from this year’s haul: seven of the Raiders’ 11 draftees posted “elite” Relative Athletic Scores (RAS), tying them with the Los Angeles Chargers for the most such athletes in the league. Six of those players — including wide receiver Dont’e Thornton and cornerback Darien Porter — scored a 9.0 or higher on the RAS scale, which helped the Raiders rank 12th league-wide in draft class athleticism, a notable improvement from previous years.
Owner Mark Davis praised the emphasis on elite physical traits, particularly singling out Thornton.
“Mark joked that was the Al Davis pick of this draft — the height, weight, speed, raw traits, athleticism,” said Brandon Yeargan, the team’s director of college scouting.
Las Vegas Raiders Lead League With Elite RAS Athletes
The receiver room, in particular, underwent a major overhaul. Only Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker return from last season’s roster. Joining them are Thornton and TCU’s Jack Bech, along with Tommy Mellott, a converted quarterback the Raiders hope can develop into a versatile weapon in the mold of Julian Edelman. While Bech brings grit and physicality, Thornton offers explosive downfield ability, and Mellott adds a layer of unpredictability.
On the offensive line, Spytek focused on building depth and continuity, using back-to-back third-round picks to select linemen Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant. That emphasis extended to the trenches on the other side of the ball, with defensive linemen Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues taken in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively. They’re expected to provide immediate competition for established players like Christian Wilkins and Adam Butler.
“We wanted to focus on toughness and competition at every level,” said Spytek, summarizing a draft strategy centered on long-term growth and adaptability.
With Carroll’s emphasis on resilience and Spytek’s eye for athletic upside, the 2024 draft appears to mark a shift in identity for the Raiders — one built on competition, versatility, and high-ceiling athleticism.