Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Moves Give Raiders Draft Day Flexibility

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Ezekiel Trezevant IV | Last updated 3/20/24

The Las Vegas Raiders entered the offseason with multiple roster holes that needed to be filled and a new general manager who had a history of rebuilding rosters. Tom Telesco hit the ground running as the team's new GM, making quality additions as soon as possible.

Telesco wasn't historically known for his signings in free agency but made one of the most critical moves of any team in the league by signing defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.

Telesco signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O'Connell for the starting quarterback position. He wisely chose to bring back veteran center Andre James and veteran running back Ameer Abdullah. He also added a third running back to the roster by signing former starting running back Alexander Mattison.

All of those moves were made in a financially responsible way, giving the team the best possible value while giving them room to make additional quality signings down the road.

More importantly, the moves Telesco and the Raiders have made so far this offseason give the Raiders ultimate flexibility during the NFL Draft. By responsibly filling holes on their team, Telesco's hand won't be forced on draft day.

The Raiders now have two competent quarterbacks. Both are capable of being dependable starters for the team, and the Raiders could add another quarterback as well. So, there's no need to mortgage the future for one of the draft's top quarterbacks.

Las Vegas now has three serviceable running backs who should be able to handle their rushing duties. The Raiders already had a formidable wide receiver unit. Outside of the offensive line, the Raiders are relatively set on offense.

The signing of Wilkins gives the Raiders one of the best defensive lines in football. Their defensive backfield was already up and coming and could get even better if the Raiders decide to draft one of the top cornerbacks available with their first-round pick.

Telesco has made multiple quality moves to improve the Raiders' roster. The moves mean all options are on the table for the Raiders come draft day. Their offseason additions give them the flexibility to do many things on draft day.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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