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The Las Vegas Raiders hope to strike gold and find the right prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Raiders were on the cusp of a postseason appearance in 2023, and Coach Antonio Pierce and General Manager Tom Telesco hope to add some young talent to get them into the playoffs in 2024.
Despite having a rebuilt pass rush that became the strength of the defense in 2024, the Raiders could still add players to that department. They have young players who can rush off the edge and on the interior, but there are talented defensive linemen in the draft who the Raiders may not want to pass up on.
One of those players could be Michigan’s Braiden McGregor. One of the Wolverines’ top contributors to their National Championship season, McGregor enters the NFL Draft.
McGregor concluded his Wolverines career with 48 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, five passes defended, and seven sacks. He became a full-time starter in 2023 and had the best season of his career.
While a late bloomer, McGregor looks the part of an NFL edge rusher. He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 267 pounds. He does not have a very dense frame but good length and solid muscle.
McGregor can win at the line of scrimmage with pure effort and motor. He has solid quickness once he gets off the snap and can use his length to bullrush his lineman match-up. He looks like he is best suited to be a 4-3 defensive end at the next level.
His best trait is his pass-rush ability, but McGregor looks like he should be able to hold up in the run game as well. His relentless effort off the snap should contribute to him being a positive contributor in that department.
According to Pro Football Focus, McGregor generated 28 total pressures in 2023, up from 12 the previous season. His growth in the last two years has made him a legitimate NFL prospect off the edge.
While McGregor is quick once he is off the snap, he is slow to actually come off the ball. He will need to get quicker if he wants to be a pass rusher in the NFL. He will also need quicker hands to engage with his blocks, or NFL offensive linemen will get to him first.
McGregor is projected to be a day three selection but could see his stock rise. If the Raiders are looking for an edge defender who will outwork his man every snap, McGregor could be a sleeper.
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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