The learning curve has been steep, apparently, for the rookies drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
So says Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal today (Raiders rookies struggle to adjust to NFL).
And he’s not just saying that after the Los Angeles Chargers toyed with Raiders back-up quarterback Aidan O’Connell, either.
Bonsignore makes some good points about the class, which, honestly, has not been anything over which to write home about so far, and that’s being kind. Some of it is out of their control, however, particularly the situation with Raiders pass rusher Tyree Wilson, whom the Raiders drafted in the first round out of Texas Tech.
Wilson had a foot injury that sidelined him for quite a bit of his last season at Texas Tech last year, and to say he hasn’t gotten off to a fast start is an understatement.
Pro Football Focus has Wilson ranked at No. 148th out of 150 edge rushers in the league.
Yeccch.
Wilson was credited for two quarterback hurries against the Chargers in the Raiders’ loss last weekend, and on the season, he has four tackles, three assists, no sacks, fumble recoveries, or forced fumbles.
Bonsignore moves on to assess every single rookie that the Raiders selected in April, and a pretty picture it’s not.
Tight end Michael Mayer, out of Notre Dame, was drafted in the second round, and Bonsignore points out that the Raiders’ offensive line has struggled, and that often, the quarterback, whether it be Jimmy Garoppolo or O’Connell, hasn’t helped.
So far to date, through four games, Mayer has exactly one catch for 2 yards.
Third-rounder Byron Young, a defensive tackle from Alabama, hasn’t exactly got the Raiders shouting “Roll Tide.” Young wasn’t active for the Chargers’ game, after having a couple of tackles and a quarterback hurry in the first three games.
Read Bonsignore’s complete assessment in the Las Vegas Review-Journal at the link aove.
The Raiders are 1-3, and the loss of Garoppolo (in the concussion protocol) certainly did not help. They’ll host Green Bay on “Monday Night Football.” Their stadium will host the Super Bowl in February, but right now, it doesn’t look like the home team will have a shot at playing in it.
If Garoppolo could play, that would be a huge lift for the team, particularly because of Garoppolo’s success against the Packers will he was with the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo is 3-1 against the Pack, in both the playoffs and the regular season.
As for the rookie class, a tale to be told with way more time.
