The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2024 NFL Draft with some more holes to fill, even after having a successful free agency. They made the splashiest move of free agency, and maybe the best move, by signing a top-five defensive tackle in Christian Wilkins.

However, even with that move, the Raiders could still add to the defensive side of the ball. Better yet, they could still add to the defensive tackle room. Sure, they may very well have a top-five defensive line in the NFL right now, but the spot next to Wilkins can still easily improve, especially if we are looking forward to the future.

This class has some good defensive tackles and two really good tackles that could go on Day 1. Now, I'm not saying the Raiders should or will go with a defensive tackle in the first round, but if they decided to, there are three guys they could go after. Only two of these guys are projected to go in the first round by A to Z Sports' Big Board, but that doesn't mean we won't see one more go.

Three DTs Raiders can draft in the first round

Currently, the Raiders have the 13th overall pick in the first round. They could go with a defensive tackle there or even go with one later in the round by way of trading up with later picks or trading back with their current first-round pick. Here are the three guys it would make sense to draft at the position if they decided to go that route:

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Byron Murphy, Texas

Position Rank: 1 Overall Rank: 13

The Raiders could get the best guy in the position in the draft if he's available. Murphy is a guy who has some really, really great strengths. Murphy is an athlete who has elite strength and athleticism, and it's polarizing on his tape at Texas. Here are his strengths per A to Z Sports' Big Board:

• Elite athlete. Explosive first step with lateral quickness to threaten both gaps
• Led DL in 2023 with a 19.6% pass-rush win rate
• Efficient club rip results in lots of quick wins
• Uses push-pull as a secondary move later in the play
• Translates 1st step into an effective bull-rush
• Snap-reaction & hand placement to lock out single blocks
• Swims over run blockers when they lean forward
• Stacks reach blocks & keep his play side hand-free
• Has the speed/effort to chase down runs from the backside

Unfortunately, just like every player, he has some weaknesses as well. However, most of his weaknesses aren't anything that would really make you want to stay away from his as a prospect.

• Undersized for a defensive tackle
• Needs to become a better finisher. So many missed sack opportunities
• Lacks bend/change of direction inside the pocket
• Can get tossed aside if he doesn't win early
• Consistently displaced/flattened by double teams
• Frequently put on the ground as a run defender

Murphy would be a great fit with the Raiders next to Wilkins and Crosby.

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Johnny Newton, Illinios

Position Rank: 2 Overall Rank: 19

The Raiders drafting Newton at pick No. 13 could be a reach, but not by much. He is very good, but a player they could trade back a bit if they really were set on him. He's easily the second-best defensive tackle, and it really isn't close. The Raiders drafting him would not be a bad idea, as he would complement Wilkins well. Here are his strengths per A to Z Sports' Big Board:

• Twitch, speed, & explosiveness to threaten blockers in every direction
• Extremely productive pass rusher, despite being the central focus of opponents' game plans
• Pass rushing technician with a full moveset at his disposal
• Wins routinely with a cross-chop, swipe, club-swim, & bull-rush
• Converts 1st step & natural leverage into a devastating power rush
• Quickly transitions to secondary moves when his first move fails
• Has the hand-pop to gain control of single blocks immediately
• Maximizes length with quality stack-shed & quick disengagement
• Flows with stretch plays like a linebacker
• Backdoors reach blocks & close in on the ballcarrier

Newton's weaknesses are a bit louder than Murphy's, but not by a wide margin. Murphy being better than Newton really comes down to versatility and athleticism, where Murphy can fit with any team, whereas Newton is a guy who can fit anywhere but is certainly better in certain systems. Here are some of his weaknesses:

• Very short arms for a defensive tackle
• Struggles to free himself when blockers land their punch
• Legs can die out at the top of the rush
• Small frames, can get covered up by reach blocks
• Misses too many tackles in the backfield. 12 missed tackles in 2023

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Maason Smith, LSU

Position Rank: 3 Overall Rank: 52

Now, Smith is easily the third-best defensive tackle in the draft, but there is a gap between him and the other two guys. Well, it's a pretty big gap. However, that doesn't mean the Raiders can't trade back in the first round to take him, as teams value players differently and rank them differently than we do. Smith could very well be the Raiders' No. 1 defensive tackle on their big board. However, as for A to Z Sports' Big Board, he's just outside the top 50, but he has some great strengths.

• Enormous, stretched-out frame
• Very effective swim move. Natural pad level makes it easier to execute
• Dominant block-shedder if he gains early control
• Impressive lateral quickness for his size
• High-effort player, constantly in pursuit. Will chase down screens & tosses from the backside

Smith has a ton of untapped potential, and the Raiders seem to develop guys on the defensive line well. I won't say good, but, well, for sure. Look at Maxx Crosby and what he was when he was drafted. Obviously, they play different positions, but they do a lot of the same things. Smith is raw, but he's an athlete who can be fairly good for the Raiders right away if needed. But, he does have some weaknesses that Las Vegas will have to oversee if they draft him.

• High-cut build gives him an immediate leverage disadvantage
• Too upright/top-heavy to generate any push as a power rusher
• Loses his footing when he enters the pocket
• Lacks the closing speed to convert pursuit-sack opportunities
• Poor vision & awareness vs outside zone. Easily sealed off by overtake combos
• Struggles to see through traffic & anticipate blocks
• Limited tackling range. Has trouble making arm tackles when the RB enters his gap
• Lacks a secondary rush plan if his swim move fails
• Skinny arms

The Raiders have some very important decisions to make in the first round. And, who knows, they may not even look at a defensive tackle in the first round after their recent free agency moves – signing Wilkins and bringing Adam Butler and John Jenkins back. But, if they did, these three guys are the three best.

Las Vegas Raiders could have a chance to trade up to at least pick No. 4 in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Raiders could do it.