Raiders rookie watch: Tyree Wilson has another solid game

A look at the Raiders’ draft class in win over Kansas City

Let’s look at how the Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie class performed in a memorable 20-14 Week 16 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday and ahead of Sunday’s road game at the Indianapolis Colts.

Two of the team’s nine draft picks were inactive for the game. They were second-round pick Michael Mayer (he had a toe injury) and defensive tackle, third-round pick Byron Young. The Raiders waived defensive tackle, seventh-round pick Nesta Jade Silvera last week. He is now on the Las Vegas practice squad.

Tyree Wilson:

Wilson played 57 percent of the snaps and had a season-high five pressures of Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Raiders’ defensive line haunted the Chiefs’ offensive line all game. The No. 7 overall pick has shown nice strides in the past three games and he is playing inside as well. If he can continue to show improvement a pass-rush of Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce and Wilson could be something special.

Tre Tucker:

The speedster third-round pick from Cincinnati was on the field for 22 snaps. He didn’t make much of an impact as he had one catch on one target for minus-four yards and he had one carry for five yards after catching two touchdowns against the Chargers in Week 15. The Raiders have to find consistency in getting Tucker’s speed involved and he had to work on catching the ball with consistency, but he has shown he can be a weapon.

Jakorian Bennett:

The fourth-round pick from Maryland didn’t play any defensive snaps for the first time this season. This came after playing 49 percent of the snaps in Week 15. He did play five snaps on special teams. This is a big fall for the early-season starter. Part of the reason, of course, is the emergence of recent addition Jack Jones.

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Aidan O’Connell:

It was a rough game for the fourth-round pick from Purdue. He was bailed out by the Raiders’ defense scoring two touchdowns in seven seconds and running back Zamir White. O’Connell threw for just 62 yards and didn’t complete a pass after the first quarter. He has to find consistency in the final two games.

Chris Smith:

In Week 15, the fifth-round pick from Georgia played 22 snaps at safety, his first action on defense. In Week 16, Smith played no defensive snaps and was on the field for a season-low 12 snaps on special teams.

Amari Burney:

Burney was active for the second straight game. He had no defensive snaps and 11 on special teams. The sixth-round pick from Miami has been active in five games and it was the only time he didn’t play on defense.

Conclusion:

After a great showing by this group in Week 15, it was pretty quiet at Kansas City other than Wilson. Let’s see what happens in Indianapolis.