Key Takeaways:
– Las Vegas Raiders select tight end Brock Bowers, surprising many as cornerback was a perceived position of need.
– Famously, the Raiders’ pick came down to a reported ‘coin toss’ between Terrion Arnold and Brock Bowers.
– Despite initial constraints, the Raiders’ choice of Bowers may prove to be a wise decision, given their poor drafting history when it comes to cornerbacks.
– The Raiders still need to consider signing a veteran cornerback, with several good players available in free agency.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders made a surprising selection by drafting tight end Brock Bowers as their No. 13 pick. Bowers was expected to be a top-10 pick based on his prowess on the field. This decision caught many off guard as the Raiders had prioritized tight end Michael Mayer for a second-round pick just a year prior. It was believed that the Raiders didn’t need to bolster this particular position.
Coin Flip Dilemma
According to cornerback Terrion Arnold from Alabama, the Raiders’ selection could have taken a drastically different direction. Arnold revealed that the Raiders’ choice between Brock Bowers and himself came down to a coin toss. On the May 7 episode of “The Next Round,” Arnold shared that he had received a call from the Raiders’ coach who confirmed the coin toss results.
Was Bowers the Right Choice?
Ranking-wise, Bowers had an edge over Arnold in the 2024 Pro Football Focus draft board. However, the Raiders’ need for a cornerback seemed to hint at the likelihood of Arnold being their choice. But the Raiders’ decision to select Bowers, despite Arnold being regarded as the best defensive player of the draft, shows their resistance to convention. The team is yet to appoint a cornerback following the end of the draft, but they might do so after June 1 when additional salary cap space becomes available.
Given the Raiders’ less-than-impressive track record drafting cornerbacks, selecting Bowers might have been a safe play. With Arnold being taken by the Detroit Lions as the 24th pick, the Raiders’ tight end trajectory has continued with Bowers, who is hailed as one of the best in his role and seems less prone to struggle in the NFL.
Veteran Cornerback Required
The fourth round of the draft saw the Raiders selecting Decamerion Richardson for the cornerback role. But since Richardson is unlikely to be ready to start as a rookie, the need for a veteran corner is still potent. Good news for the Raiders is that experienced and skilled free agents like Xavien Howard, Adoree’ Jackson, and Stephon Gilmore are still on the market.
Despite not securing a star cornerback within the draft, the sheer amount of high-quality free agents that remain available could pave the way forward for the Raiders in closing their cornerback gap.
As it stands, the coin flip choice between Bowers and Arnold might have left many fans questioning the Raiders’ decision-making prowess, but Bowers’ anticipated impact could be the answer they need.