With the 2023 NFL Draft over, what were the Las Vegas Raiders able to do with their draft assets? Let’s take a look at what picks the Raiders had this year and how those picks came about. Then, make sure to play with the PFN 2024 NFL Mock Draft Simulator, to see how Las Vegas can stack the momentum in the next cycle.
Las Vegas’ roster has been top-heavy for some time now. They needed inexpensive labor, and lucky enough for them, they got an influx of that with the 2023 NFL Draft. Only the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions had more overall capital than the Raiders.
Want to see how the Raiders graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Then come check out our full Las Vegas Raiders draft grades. You can also see the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1, Pick 7
Tyree Wilson, EDGE | Texas Tech - Round 2, Pick 35 (From IND)
Michael Mayer, TE | Notre Dame - Round 3, Pick 70
Bryon Young, DL | Alabama - Round 3, Pick 100 (From KC via NYG)*
Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati - Round 4, Pick 104 (From HOU)
Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland - Round 4, Pick 135 (From NE)
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue - Round 5, Pick 170 (From NYJ)
Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia - Round 6, Pick 203 (From HOU)
Amari Burney, LB, Florida - Round 7, Pick 231 (From NE)
Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State
*Compensatory selection
How Many Draft Picks Did the Raiders Have Entering the 2023 NFL Draft?
Like the city, Las Vegas was busy. The Raiders entered the draft with 12 picks, of which seven were their own. The Raiders did a good job retaining their top picks, owning each of their original selections inside the top four rounds.
Through a sequence of mid-draft trades, the Raiders ended up having only nine selections by the end of the event, but they were still able to capitalize on their available capital and infuse their roster with talent.
The third-round pick Las Vegas added in the Darren Waller trade originated in Kansas City as part of the JC-2A resolution. That pick was traded for Kadarius Toney, and the Giants turned Toney into Waller using that pick.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Picks by Team
The Raiders acquired the Atlanta Falcons’ fifth-round selection in the trade for WR Bryan Edwards. Las Vegas sent Edwards and their seventh-round pick to Atlanta in return for that fifth-round selection. Meanwhile, the Raiders picked up the Dallas Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in return for sending DT Johnathan Hankins and a 2024 seventh-round selection to Dallas.
Las Vegas’ original sixth-round pick ended up being the property of the New England Patriots. The Raiders acquired QB Jarrett Stidham — who started their final two games — and a seventh-round selection in return for sending that sixth-round pick to the Patriots. The other seventh-round selection was obtained from the Arizona Cardinals in return for sending CB Trayvon Mullen to Arizona.
Who Did the Raiders Draft in 2023?
The Raiders’ first-round pick in 2023 was their highest since 2019. The entire 2020 draft was a complete disaster, and the Raiders whiffed in 2021 with the selection of Alex Leatherwood. Vegas used their 2022 first-round pick to acquire Davante Adams, which was a much better use of their resources. The hope is that Tyree Wilson will compound that early first-round momentum with his high-end tools.
On Day 2, Las Vegas traded the No. 38 and No. 141 picks to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 35 overall selection, which they would use on tight end Michael Mayer. They also traded up for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, quarterback Aidan O’Connell, and safety Christopher Smith, showing a willingness to be aggressive for prospects who were higher on their board.
Overall, the Raiders covered an impressive amount of ground, with a roster that needed increased depth across the board. Wilson, Byron Young, and Nesta Jade Silvera will boost the defensive line, while Mayer and Tre Tucker both add new elements to the offense.
