The commencement of the Tom Telesco era as general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders in the upcoming NFL Draft holds significant intrigue, starting with their pick at No. 13 this April.
Telesco steps into a role with the Raiders facing numerous roster gaps, and observers are keen to witness the impact the new general manager will make on Day 1.
For the Raiders, recent first-round selections have been fraught with disappointment, particularly evident in their choices from 2019 and 2020.
Among these picks, only Josh Jacobs emerged as a notable contributor, with players like Damon Arnette, Henry Ruggs III, Clelin Ferrell, and Johnathan Abram failing to meet expectations.
This pattern of underwhelming selections extends beyond those years. In 2021, the unexpected selection of Alex Leatherwood resulted in a brief tenure with the franchise, leaving uncertainty surrounding defensive end Tyree Wilson‘s future.
Pro Football Focus highlighted the Raiders among the teams with the most and least successful first-round picks since 2014, with Las Vegas featuring prominently in the latter category.
While the Raiders began on a positive note in 2015 with the addition of Amari Cooper, subsequent selections such as Karl Joseph in 2016 and Gareon Conley in 2017 failed to deliver. The 2018 pick of Kolton Miller, though initially challenging, evolved into a cornerstone of the Raiders’ offensive line.
With the string of disappointing first-round choices since 2019, hopes are pinned on Telesco to reverse the franchise’s fortunes in the upcoming draft.
Ultimately, the Raiders find themselves among the least successful teams in Day 1 picks over the last decade, alongside the Jaguars, Patriots, and Titans. This recognition underscores the widespread acknowledgment of the Las Vegas Raiders’ struggles with prime draft capital since 2014.
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