Three late-round draft picks to watch for the Las Vegas Raiders during Week 2 of OTAs
Like every team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of OTAs. They just had their first week last week. This week, they kick off Week 2 of OTAs on Tuesday and Wednesday.With OTAs back, they're really the only football being played at the moment outside of the spring leagues like […]
Like every team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of OTAs. They just had their first week last week. This week, they kick off Week 2 of OTAs on Tuesday and Wednesday.
With OTAs back, they're really the only football being played at the moment outside of the spring leagues like the UFL. So, it's important to keep up with what's going on at OTAs.
As far as players to watch for, there are three late-round draft picks that the Raiders drafted that we can watch for at OTAs by watching highlights and other things of that nature.
Three late-round/day-three draft picks to watch at Raiders OTAs
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
The day three pick was one the Raiders really made with 2025 in mind. Currently, they have just two LBs on a deal for next year: Eichenberg and Burney. But Eichenberg could be good enough to find his way on the field in 2024. Seeing how well he does at OTAs will be the start of potentially seeing if he's good enough to play a significant role in 2024.
Eichenberg possesses a unique passion for the game, a trait shared by some of the league's top players, like Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams. This love for the game, often referred to by Crosby as the 'Mamba Mentality,' sets Eichenberg apart and hints at his potential to excel in the Raiders' defense.
His skill set will already fit perfectly, too. It's not just all heart, as the player himself is talented. He played middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 (nickel) scheme. The Raiders used nickel more than any other team last season, so he's a scheme fit for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The fit is perfect. He plays the way the Raiders like on their defense, too. According to Pro Football Network, he has had 29 tackles for loss/no gain since 2022, which is third among Big Ten linebackers. OTAs don't really mean anything, but we will get to see him in a few drills.
Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Taylor was a standout player in the Air Force, consistently demonstrating his skills and potential. When you look at his tape, it's hard to see why he was available in the seventh round. But a few things factor in why. First, he went to a smaller school in Air Force, which means he didn't play against the elite talent that guys who play at Georgia, Alabama, and others play.
Second, this draft saw a ton of safeties fall late when they were much better players than their draft position suggested. This could be due to a shift in team strategies or a focus on other positions. It's similar to a linebacker, as it's becoming a position that teams aren't valuing as much for some reason. So, seeing him at OTAs will give us a very small glimpse of how he is against better competition in NFL talent.
As we approach the 2024 season, it's becoming evident that the Raiders may have unearthed a hidden gem in the seventh round. It certainly doesn't hurt that Taylor's cousin is Ed Reed, a legendary safety. While OTAs won't provide a definitive answer, they offer a glimpse into how these later-round draft picks adapt to NFL life.
Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Now, he is already drawing very small comparisons to Christian McCaffrey, and while that isn't fair for him, it's clear to see that Laube can be very versatile. Watching running backs during OTAs and training camp is always difficult because they don't get hit. But Laube can catch the ball, and we have already seen him doing it pretty well at OTAs.
Laube's path to the roster will be through special teams. If he is willing to do it, which he is, and he is good at it, which he was in college, then his spot on the 53-man roster could be locked down. Once he makes the roster, you can start talking about him as a potential weapon in the offense, as he can catch and run the ball. He is certainly someone we should continue watching.
Raiders’ Dylan Laube is willing to do what a lot of players don’t want to if it means making the team
The Raiders will love that.
