The Las Vegas Raiders had a rather underwhelming draft class in 2023, when reflecting on it heading into their fourth seasons.
EDGE Tyree Wilson amassed just 12 sacks, 91 tackles, and 17 TFL in 50 games. Michael Mayer was quickly placed as a second TE after drafting franchise cornerstone Brock Bowers in the first round a year later, they took the wrong Byron Young (who on this roster completely changes the entire pass rush), and the team has traded or released 4th rounder Jakorian Bennett, 5th rounder Chris
Smith, 6th rounder Amari Burney, and 7th rounder Nesta Jade Silvera. Of the class, just Mayer, O’Connell, and Tre Tucker remain. The best player comes with Tucker, though that’s not counting LB Drake Thomas who went on to log 114 tackles, 11 TFL, 5.5 sacks, INT, 11 PBU, and a FR across the 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks as their green dot LB. With all that said, a look at where the 2023 rookies stand heading into a potential make it or break it season for many of them.
EDGE Tyree Wilson – Off Roster
TE Michael Mayer: Starting inline TE
2025: 13 games (465 snaps) | 35 rec, 328 yards, TD, 5.7 YAC/reception, 17% contested catch (1/6), 5.4% drop rate
- Mayer has had an up and down career after being the Raiders 2nd rounder in 2023, though the 6’4, 265-pound TE will head into year four, with his FOURTH offensive system. Mayer doesn’t turn 25 till July, and he’ll see a large snap count in 2026 as the Raiders inline TE, allowing Bowers to play the Y. As a result, Mayer is likely to see a fair share of volume, in a contract season, and he should have the opportunity to be a highly featured member of the Raiders offense. Mayer has been good with the ball in his hands, with a career YAC/reception of 5.7 yards, he runs good routes, and has consistently been a good safety blanket for the Raiders passing offense. If Las Vegas is smart, they’ll retain Mayer and under the Klint Kubiak offense, he’s someone who can certainly be a focal point, and produce with 350+ yards consistently. Mayer’s role has largely been as a depth piece, and 2026 should be the first season he’s a consistent starter with the usage rate of 12 and 13 personnel under Klint Kubiak.
DT Byron Young – Off Roster
- The Raiders genuinely drafted the wrong Byron Young….. (not a joke either). Having the 26 year old, 2x Pro Bowler with 27.5 sacks, 32 TFL, and 45 QB hits in his three year career would be quite nice.
WR Tre Tucker: Starting WR
2025: 57 rec, 696 yards, 5 TD, 5.1 YAC/reception, 38.% contested catch (5/13), 8.1% drop rate
- Tucker saw a career year in 2025, he was targeted a career high 90 times, hauled in a career high in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, while also having a career high in YAC/reception. Tucker’s drop rate did nearly double from 2024, and he underproduced as well largely due to poor QB play. Tucker was a consistent WR, ranked 44th in separation among NFL receivers, and he’s an extremely explosive receiver. Klint Kubiak & John Spytek have spoke highly of Tucker, and it’s clear the 5’9, 185-pound receiver will have a key point of the Raiders offense. Tucker can be a dynamic receiver with the ball in his hands, he’s able to consistently work the 0-12 yard range, and can also run quality downfield concepts to force the safety out of the box. Tucker is just 25, and looming for an extension, he’ll be a focal point of the Raiders offense, and for a former third rounder, Tucker has turned in a quality career with a good runway ahead of him as a third receiver in most offenses. Cutting the drop rate down to mean would go a long way to a higher contract.
CB Jakorian Bennett – Off Roster
QB Aidan O’Connell: QB3 or Off Roster
2025: 1 Game (51 snaps) | 10/22, 102 yards, 1 rush, 7 yards
- O’Connell has had an up and down career, though for a fourth round QB it’s been better than you’d likely expect. While O’Connell is not a starting QB in the NFL, he’s a quality backup, though Las Vegas could see him out for a potential mid round draft pick in the 2027 class as Fernando Mendoza & Kirk Cousins are the top two in the room. O’Connell has a career 62% completion, 3932 yards, 20 TD, and 11 INT alongside taking 35 sacks, an 84.1 QBR, and 48 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns. O’Connell has been successful for his draft position, and the near 28 year old QB works well in spot starts, can keep the team afloat, but isn’t a true starting QB. Overall, O’Connell’s biggest battle this season will be if Las Vegas decides to keep three QB on the roster, which might be difficult to do with other needs, and higher developmental players possible in the fold for Las Vegas.
SAF Christopher Smith – Off Roster
ILB Amari Burney – Off Roster
NT Nesta Jade Silvera – Off Roster
T Dalton Wagner: Competition for 9th OL
2025: 3 games (2 snaps, 8 ST snaps)
- Wagner appeared in his first NFL game since signing with Las Vegas as a UDFA in 2023 during the 2025 season logging 2 snaps at RT in a win vs the Chiefs. The 6’8, 320-pound 27 year old has been a career practice squad player, mainly working as a RT in his career. Through three pre-seasons, Wagner allowed just 1 sack, and 8 pressures (3% pressure rate) with 218 snaps at RT and just 32 at LT. He figures to be in the play as the Raiders potential 4th T on the roster, and would take the role of the backup RT spot instead of a true “swing tackle” as most teams have, with Charles Grant the consistent starting LT behind Kolton Miller. Wagner is big, he’s physical, and he does a lot well in the run game. He’s able to move well in space, is smart, plays physical, and overall does a lot well in that phase. He’s very limited athletically, causing issues in the pass game with slow feet, poor hips, and average bend. That said, Wagner now headed into year four is likely to finally see a real chance at the 53 man roster, and could earn some quality play time if an injury occurs.
ILB Drake Thomas – Seahawks Star LB……
