The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2023 NFL Draft with a lot of questions to answers and a lot of holes to fill. Their first round selection was one of the bigger stories of the offseason leading up to the draft, and after taking Tyree Wilson, we can say they nailed it.

Las Vegas Raiders 2023 NFL Draft Class

Round 1, No. 7 Overall: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

There weren’t a whole lot of people who thought the Las Vegas Raiders were going to go Wilson at seven, mainly because their biggest need on defense is cornerback, but, they had other things in mind.

This move is to help get ready for when it's time to replace Chandler Jones, which, for all we know, could be next year based on how he played in 2022. Wilson can play next year, and even start if he needed to. 

Wilson is ranked by many as one of the best three defenders in this draft, and if there is anything at all the Raiders need, it's defense, and it doesn't really matter which position.

Round 2, No. 35 overall: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

The Las Vegas Raiders made the move in the offseason to trade away Darren Waller and then sign Austin Hooper. But, we know that having Hooper as your tight end one isn’t reliable in terms of production.

So, the Raiders went and got Jimmy Garoppolo another weapon, and did got a tight end that can start right away. Mayer was listed as the best tight end in the draft by many analyst, and the Raiders got him at pick 35.

Mayer can run block too, so he fits the mold of what the Raiders will want to do on offense.

Round 3, No. 70 overall: EDGE Byron Young, Alabama

The Raiders need defense, sure, but they already went edge rusher with their very first pick, which is the area on the defense with the least concern.

Instead, they completely skipped out on any of the cornerbacks in the first three rounds. They need defensive back help and got another edge. But, I will say that if Young can be the player he is hyped up to be, the Raiders could have one of the best defensive lines in the league in about three or four years.

Round 3, No. 100 overall: WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati

This may have been one of the more head scratching moves so far in the draft, of any team. They don’t need much more help on offense, and the receiver position is the position on offense that needs the least amount of help after all of the moves they made in the offseason.

Sure, they need another slot guy with crazy speed, and that's what Tucker is. However, the way their roster is looking, they may have to carry eight receivers on their 53-man roster because of all of the guys they already have.

Round 4, No. 100 overall: CB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland

The Las Vegas Raiders biggest need was defensive back, and while a lot of people were mad they didn’t get one earlier, this pick was perfect. They got great value, and the fastest defensive back in the draft.

Bennett is a guy that will play the nickel, and then outside some. They needed a guy to pair with Nate Hobbs, the only decent cornerback on the roster, and they got one in Bennett.

When you look at his stats, they don't lie. The dude can ball, and his speed only makes it that much better. He still has some things to develop, but it was a great pick nonetheless.

Round 4, No. 135 overall: QB Aiden O’Connell, Purdue

For all the talk of the Raiders taking a quarterback in the first round, we saw it didn’t come true day one. They instead waited till day three to get a guy that is perfect for what they want in a backup, and a future starter.

O'Connell was the most accurate passer at Purdue ever, and that is saying something considering Drew Brees played there. He will stay in the pocket and deliver hits. That's what McDaniels wants.

He is good enough to play when Garoppolo is hurt and he is good enough with enough potential that he will be good in a few years.

Round 5, No. 170 overall: DB Christopher Smith II, Georgia

The other biggest need the Raiders had was the safety position. They signed Marcus Epps in the offseason but still needed another guy, as well as some depth at the position.

Getting a guy like Smith where they did is great. He can be a guy that will eventually be a starter, if all goes well, and if not, he can be a great backup and a phenomenal special teamer.

The Raiders need guys who can play multiple positions, and Smith is one of those, as he lined up everywhere at Georgia. This was a great pick too.

Round 6, No. 203 overall: LB Amari Burney, Florida

The next biggest need was by far the linebacker position, especially with Denzel Perryman now with the Houston Texans. So, it was ideal for them to grab a guy at the position, but most thought it would be earlier.

Burney had a pretty good 2022 season in college and was formerly a defensive back. So, the Raiders may be hoping that will help towards the coverage aspect of things, where they need help at with the linebackers.

I could see Burney eventually becoming a starter, but mainly because the current group is so bad.

Round 7, No. 231 overall: DT Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State

The defensive tackle position was bound to see another addition, even after drafting Byron Young. They need depth and they need guys who have size to stop the run. Silvera has that at 6’2″ 302 pounds.

There is a chance he could be a guy that makes the 53-man roster, but there is also a chance that he is just a practice squad guy. They still have their two picks from last year in Adam Butler and Matthew Butler, who should get better for sure.

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• Round 1, No. 7 overall: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
• Round 2, No. 35 overall: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
• Round 3, No. 70 overall: EDGE Byron Young, Alabama
• Round 3, No. 100 overall: WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati
• Round 4, No. 104 overall: CB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
• Round 4, No. 135 overall: QB Aiden O'Connell, Purdue
• Round 5, No. 170 overall: S Christopher Smith II, Georgia
• Round 6, No. 203 overall: LB Amari Burney, Florida
• Round 7, No. 231 overall: DT Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State