Raiders Draft Grades
After a successful off-season that included pairing Derek Carr with his college teammate and NFL superstar Davante Adams, the Raiders look poised to make a run at the post season. They entered the Draft with major concerns along the offensive line as well as the need to add depth and play makers along the front seven of the defense. One other question was what would they do about RB after declining Josh Jacobs 5th year option? Lets look at the Raiders draft grade to see how they did.
90th Overall Selection (RD3-26) Dylan Parham, OL, Memphis
The Raiders started drafting late on Day 2 due to giving up picks in the trade for Davante Adams. A trade I liked for them. Adams gives Carr his best receiver he has ever had since the two were paired up at Fresno State. That being said, the Raiders added a versatile interior lineman who has starting upside. Parham is a player I like more than last Draft’s Alex Leatherwood. Parham should push for a starting job sooner than later and bring some agility to the line.
Grade B+
122nd Overall Selection (RD4-17) Zamir White, RB, Georgia
With the future at RB uncertain after not picking up Jacobs’s 5th year option, I loved this pick. In a league that seems to be devaluing the position more and more each year, why not get an heir apparent this late? White has never carried the ball more than 160 times in a season, so he has fresh legs. On top of that, he is a TD machine who averaged over 5 YPC in his collegiate career.
Grade B+
126th Overall Selection (RD4-21) Neil Farrell, DT, LSU
The Raiders choose just four picks later and addressed defensive line depth. However, Farrell doesn’t offer much upside in my opinion. He is a NT who may eat up blocks, but will not be asked to generate pressure. I felt this pick was a reach here and so did PFN who didn’t have him in their top 200 prospects.
Grade C-
175th Overall selection (RD5-32) Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee
This pick was one of my favorites at this point in the draft. Butler started gaining traction after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. I was working toward writing up an individual report on Butler, but ran out of time prior to the draft. He has an elite get off and should generate pressure from the inside. His bench numbers at the combine are a bit scary. If he can add strength he could develop into a real steal. Did the Raiders find their Maxx Crosby of the interior d-line?
Grade A+++ I really liked this pick!
238th Overall Selection (RD7-17) Thayer Munford, OL, Ohio State
It’s the 7th round and the Raiders added a versatile lineman with starter upside. Munford was rated a top 50 prospect by a few sites prior to the season. He bumped in to guard and honestly I’m not sure why he fell this far. Munford will at least earn a spot on the roster as a back up who can fill in at guard or tackle.
Grade B+
250th Overall Selection (RD7-29) Brittain Brown, RB, UCLA
I spent a good deal of time watching UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet, who we at DraftDive our high on for the 2023 Draft Class. That being said, I don’t recall Brown therefore he obviously didn’t make an impression. With many RB’s on the board who I liked much more, I have to say this pick didn’t win me over
Grade D
Raiders Draft Grade Overall Grade A-
I liked what the Raiders did this off-season and Draft with their draft capital. First, they added arguably the best WR in the NFL in Davante Adams. They added a RB who may turn out to be the heir apparent at RB in White. I believe both Parham and Butler could be steals where they were drafted at, and if Munford can work out his kinks, he may develop into another starter along the interior line. If not, he is a very valuable reserve at the least.
Raiders Draft Grade Analyst-Ken Noble.
