10 best players available for Raiders with pick No. 44

Who should be on Las Vegas’ radar for Day 2?

Now that the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is over, let’s take a look at some of the Las Vegas Raiders’ top options heading into the second round/Day 2 of the draft. The Raiders shocked the NFL world on Thursday night by selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Will there be some more surprises or will Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce pivot toward addressing the team’s needs?

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Cornerback was one of Las Vegas’ biggest needs heading into the draft and one position many expected the organization to target in round one. McKinstry has first-round talent but a foot injury that came to light during the NFL Combine could have caused him to slide. If he continues to fall down the board, the Alabama product’s 21 career PBUs, per Pro Football Focus, would be a welcomed sight in Sin City.

Below is a brief snapshot of McKinstry’s scouting report from Bleacher Report (full report):

McKinstry is a top cornerback in this year’s class based on his skill set. As most incoming cornerbacks do, he will need to continue improving his technique, especially when it comes to using his hands downfield. His skills are undeniable and gives defensive coordinators the versatility to play multiple schemes. Look for him to be a starter early in his career.

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Again, the Raiders’ secondary could use some help and DeJean would give them a quality corner who could also contribute as a safety if need be. Patrick Graham would love that versatility and could use the former Hawkeye all over the field. It also helps that he allowed just a 37.8 passer rating when targeted last season, per PFF, and can contribute as a returner.

Below is a brief snapshot of DeJean’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Though DeJean has the size and physicality to play safety in the NFL, he has the ball skills and movement skills to play cornerback. Although he will fit best in a zone scheme, he’s one of the top cornerback prospects in this year’s draft class and has added return ability that most don’t have.

It remains to be seen whether DeJean can return to his pre-injury form. Regardless, he has the skill set to go within the first two rounds and should make a push as a starter early in his NFL career.

Jackson Powers-Johnson, iOL, Oregon

While the Raiders re-signed Andre James this offseason and Jackson Powers-Johnson was exclusively a center last season, the former Duck took 430 reps at right guard during the previous two campaigns combined. Also, James’ deal has a potential out after the 2025 season.

The Oregon product was a standout in pass protection at the Senior Bowl and has a great track record in that department with just four pressures allowed during his college career, via PFF.

Below is a brief snapshot of Powers-Johnson’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Overall, Powers-Johnson is a young, inexperienced prospect who burst onto the scene this season as a first-time starter thanks to his elite blend of size, athletic ability, power and toughness that he used to dominate competition. He does have a few technical aspects of his game to clean up, but his physical traits and makeup should allow him to start right away at either center or guard without being dependent on scheme while providing Pro Bowl potential within his first contract.

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Telesco has options about how he can address the team’s need for a starting offensive lineman. Suamataia played right tackle two years ago at BYU and only surrendered 11 pressures while simultaneously earning the highest PFF run-blocking grade of his college career (74.2). He could hold down the right edge while Thayer Munford Jr. slides inside to guard.

Below is a brief snapshot of Suamataia’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Overall, Suamataia has the physical tools of a starting tackle with an unrefined skill set that is built on flashes rather than proven consistency. But he’ll be only 21 when he gets drafted, and he has the runway to add polish to his game and bridge that gap within his first contract in an RPO/play-action based system that can help bring him along slowly.

Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

After signing Christian Wilkins in free agency, drafting Newton would be another ‘best player available’ type of pick and wouldn’t fill a need for the Silver and Black. However, the Illinois product is a disruptor in the trenches who racked up 43 pressures and 25 defensive stops against the run last year. That may be too good to pass up if he slides to pick 44.

Below is a brief snapshot of Newton’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Jer’Zhan Newton is just a disruptive player overall. He’s strong and stout at the point of attack against the run to stun offensive linemen and stay in his gap. He also has little to no issues getting off blocks and can make plays outside of his gap with his impressive blend of strength and athleticism.

As a pass-rusher, Newton has very active hands to “beat the hands, beat the man” and add to his pass-rush repertoire. He has a handful of moves he can win with around the edges and has impressive bend for a defensive tackle. He’s also flashed some athleticism/agility to be an effective looper in line games and continues to grow as a rusher.

Cooper Beebe, iOL, Kansas State

As mentioned above, the Raiders could use some help in the trenches and the fact Beebe took reps at every offensive line position except for center at Kansas State could be a big plus for Telesco and Pierce. The former Wildcat was primarily a left guard over these past two seasons and only gave up nine pressures in each of them while posting good run-blocking grades from PFF, 77.2 and 79.7 in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Below is a brief snapshot of Beebe’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Overall, Beebe is a highly decorated, massively built, sawed-off, smart and strong presence with proven versatility to project as a high-floor, solid starting guard in a downhill run scheme. His strong processing skills boost his play speed, but his below-average athletic ability and length narrows his margin for error when isolated against top competition.

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

After striking out on quarterbacks during the first round, don’t be surprised if Las Vegas targets Rattler on Day 2 of the draft. He was once considered a potential No. 1 pick during his Oklahoma days before losing the starting job to Caleb Williams and transferring to South Carolina. The former Gamecock has plenty of arm talent, credited with 68 career ‘big-time throws’ via PFF.

Below is a brief snapshot of Rattler’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Overall, Rattler’s arm is too enticing to pass up for too long. There are only a handful of players who throw with his flexibility and arm strength and accuracy. Rattler has the aggressive mindset to be a difference maker, too. He’ll just need time to find the balance with his aggression and continue adjusting to pro-style passing concepts.

Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

It seems like Paul would be a better target with the 77th pick than the 44th but is a good right tackle option nonetheless. He surrendered just nine pressures in pass protection last season and has a great frame at 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds with over 36-inch arms. Granted, the former Cougar would have to switch from the left side to the right in Las Vegas.

Below is a brief snapshot of Paul’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

Overall, Paul still needs significant technique work to play with better leverage, control and sustain skills. But he has ideal length with starter-level athletic ability, play strength and a nasty demeanor that can be harnessed into a starting role within his first few seasons.

Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Metlon is another guy who might fall closer to the third-round category, but his sub-4.4 speed is very intriguing. The Rutgers product rarely gets beat deep, the longest reception he allowed last season was just 26 yards, and quarterbacks had just a 65.7 passer rating when throwing his way, according to PFF.

Below is a brief snapshot of Melton’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

As an outside cornerback, he often plays from press coverage, where he does a very good job of moving his feet and showing off his lateral movement skills. He has smooth enough hips to flip and run with receivers, although there are times where his high pad level can cause him to be slower to transition and allow separation out of breaks.

Melton looks to be at his best when he’s in off coverage and zone, where he is able to see the routes develop in front of him and can see the ball thrown. When he can see the flight of the ball, he does a very good job of attacking it either through the catch point or capitalizing on the turnover. As he works down the field, he tends to be too handsy and face-guard the receiver too much, causing him to lose track of the ball.

Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

As a physical run defender who also has good ball skills with six interceptions and six PBUs in 2023, per PFF, Sainristill fits the bill of what Pierce is likely looking for in a cornerback. However, the Michigan product is more of a nickel corner and the Raiders already have Nate Hobbs to fill that role. That being said, maybe the team views the former Wolverine as a more versatile corner or a long-term solution as Hobbs is about to enter a contract year.

Below is a brief snapshot of Sainristil’s scouting report from B/R (full report):

When he trusts his breaks, Sainristil can quickly drive and close on the ball. He does a great job of flipping his hips and has the top-end speed to run with receivers deep. Sainristil is an instinctual defender who does a great job of identifying routes and has the ball skills to attack the ball in the air, though he does panic downfield at times.

As a run defender, Sainristil does a very good job of triggering to what he sees. However, he lacks the size and strength desired to fit in the run game. At times, his lack of size causes him to fall off tackles and struggle with bigger blockers. Though he does a good job of coming downhill, he sometimes stops his feet and dives at the legs of ball-carriers.