Which Second Year Raider Will Take the Next Step?

Las Vegas Raiders Tyree Wilson, Michael Mayer, Tre Tucker, Jakorian Bennett and Aidan O'Connell are capable of taking the next step next season.

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) turns to / Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders, under general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce, want to replicate their draft success from last year's 2023 NFL Draft to this year's 2024 NFL Draft.

The Raiders have five noticeable players entering their sophomore year next season who could all be impactful.

Starting with last year's 2023 NFL first-round draft pick, Tyree Wilson. Wilson played 17 games last season on the Raiders' defensive line and finished with 29 tackles, 16 solo tackles, and two tackles for loss.

2023 NFL second-round draft pick Michael Mayer is also a noticeable second-year player capable of taking the next step next season. Mayer finished 14 games with 27 receptions for 304 yards, scoring two receving touchdowns. He ended the season with a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 58.3 and a 66.1 receiving grade.

Wide receiver and third-round draft pick Tre Tucker is capable of taking the next step next season as a second-year player. Tucker shined throughout his rookie season as wide receiver three. He ended the season playing 16 games and finished with 19 receptions for 331 yards, scoring two touchdowns. Tucker finished the season with a 65.2 overall Pro Football Focus grade, a 64.3 receving grade, and a 67.8 rushing grade.

2023 fourth-round draft pick Jakorian Bennett is also entering next season as a second-year player. In his rookie season with the Silver and Black, Bennett played 14 games. He finished with 32 tackles, and 24 solo tackles, and he earned a 42.4 overall Pro Football Focus grade, a 49.4 run-defensive grade, and a 41.1 coverage grade.

Lastly, quarterback Aidan O'Connell is the last notable 2023 draft pick capable of taking the next step next season as the Raiders' starting quarterback. O'Connell went 5-4 as a starter last season and 3-1 in the AFC West. He completed 213 passes on 343 attempts for 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished with a 65.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade, a 64.6 passing grade, and a 61.6 rushing grade.

Be on the watch for all of these second-year players, as all can take the next step next season.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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