Hidden-Gem Prospects Raiders Must Target in 2024 NFL Draft
Alex BallentineApril 3, 2024Hidden-Gem Prospects Raiders Must Target in 2024 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders new regime will get its first crack at building the roster through the NFL draft at the conclusion of April.
New general manager Tom Telesco isn't a stranger to running a draft. He was at the helm for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2013-2023.
Teams and general managers are often remembered for their first-round picks. One of Telesco's best moves with the Chargers was drafting Justin Herbert in 2020. However, a great general manager is able to find hidden gems later in the draft.
The Chargers had some success with those picks under Telesco. He took Keenan Allen in the third round. Jamaree Salyer turned out to be a valuable starter on the offensive line as a sixth-round pick in 2022.
If Telesco is going to have success with the Raiders, he'll need to generate some more examples quickly. The Raiders are in need of a good draft to continue building on the positive momentum generated by last season's strong finish.
Here are three late-round picks who could become hidden gems for the Raiders moving forward.
RB Ray Davis, Kentucky

The Raiders bid adieu to Josh Jacobs this offseason. They signed Alexander Mattison but that's hardly the kind of addition that should preclude them from drafting a running back.
Right now, 30-year-old Ameer Abdullah is the third running back on the depth chart. He's a Dave Ziegler signing who offers little upside at a position where there's always value in upside on a cheap contract.
This isn't a strong running back class, but there are still some intriguing options outside of the top players.
Kentucky's Ray Davis falls into the category. He isn't flashy. He didn't post blazing times at the combine. He's just a really solid running back who understands how to play the position. He sets up his blockers well and is a pro-ready back.
"Davis can step into any offense right away and be a contributor. He has experience with all types of run-game concepts, and he has the size and efficient rushing skills to be a quality runner sooner than later," B/R scout Derrik Klassen wrote in his scouting report.
Klassen also acknowledges that Davis isn't the most explosive runner. However, that's the trait that could send him into the later rounds where he could be a hidden gem. The Raiders need another running back who knows how to play the position but brings young legs to the table.
That's a need that Davis could fill right away and he might be available on Day 3.
IOL Delmar Glaze, Maryland

Finding a starter on the offensive line on Day 3 of the draft is not easy, but it does happen.
It's one of the most ideal scenarios for the Raiders draft. At this point, the line has needs at right tackle and right guard. Coming away with at least one starter should be a priority.
Delmar Glaze isn't considered one of the top interior prospects in the draft, but he could still wind up being a starter for the Silver and Black sooner rather than later.
Offensive line scout Brandon Thorn praised Glaze for his lay strength and mercurial playing style:
"Glaze combines polished technique with good play strength and a patient, calculated approach to win the leverage battle more often than not despite below-average athletic ability. Along with his tackle experience, Glaze should be able to carve out a role on an NFL roster at guard while offering the ability to play tackle in a pinch."
The weaknesses outlined in Thorn's report, a lack of foot quickness, twitch and range, will be mitigated with a move to the inside. Glaze has 16 starts at left tackle and 16 more at right tackle.
His ability to play on both sides of the line combined with his physicality and NFL frame (6'4", 315 pounds) make him the kind of underrated line prospect that's going to be able to contribute sooner than later.
S Akeem Dent, Florida State

The Raiders might be set at safety for the 2023 season, but it would make sense for them to target the position at some point in the draft. Tre'Von Moehrig is on the final year of his rookie deal while is set to finish out the two-year contract he signed in 2023.
Thus, it would make sense that the Raiders would find someone who could be developed into a contributor by 2024.
This is a fairly top-heavy draft class at the position. There are six safeties in the top 50 of our latest big board but after that there's only one more, Kenny Logan Jr., who makes the top 100.
With other needs to address, the Raiders might have to go outside of the well-known prospects and target an intriguing athlete like Florida State's Akeem Dent. The 6'1", 191-pound defensive back made 40 starts for the Seminoles over the last five seasons.
The experienced safety lit up his pro day in Tallahassee with a 6.72 three-cone time that would have been first among the safeties at the combine and a 4.38 40-yard dash, per Ryan Fowler of B/R.
Dent has the versatility to play as a deep safety but also has the potential to play a little in the slot as well. His size might prevent him from being a box safety, but his athleticism and experience make him a worthwhile gamble for a Raiders team that could need safeties in a year.
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