The NFL is brutal, right? Your third season? That's the make-or-break year, folks. And for the Las Vegas Raiders' 2024 draft class, that bell is ringing louder than ever this summer. It's not looking good, either, because outside of one guy, Brock Bowers, the rest of those seven players the Raiders picked are staring down a future of serious obscurity on that roster. Ouch.
Early Departures and Murky Future for JPJ
Talk about a quick exit for some of those guys. Trey Taylor, a seventh-round pick, was on special teams for nine games his rookie year. Just nine! Then he got the boot after last year's training camp, and guess what? He hasn't landed anywhere else. Zip. M.J. Devonshire, another seventh-rounder, spent a whole year grinding on the practice squad before they let him go after the 2025 draft. Now he's fighting for a spot on the Green Bay Packers. Oof. Yeah, we don't expect much from those late-round flyers, but it still stings to see them gone so fast. But here's the kicker: even second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson? His future with the club is murky, and that's putting it mildly. The dude's been a starter for two years, but he's battled injuries and been inconsistent. Now he's in a massive position battle just to stay with the first-team offense. And get this: he's not even playing his preferred position at center because Tyler Linderbaum is in the picture. JPJ is battling Spencer Burford, Caleb Rogers, Jordan Meredith, and Trey Zuhn III for just two open starting guard spots. He's a favorite to win one, sure, but with four other guys gunning for it, there's a real chance he's relegated to backup duties. And let's not forget, the current general manager and head coach aren't the ones who drafted him. That's a rough spot to be in, isn't it?Struggles for Glaze and Richardson on Defense
Then we've got DJ Glaze, another guy who started for two years but just can't seem to find his rhythm, especially when it comes to pass protection. Pro Football Focus straight up says this third-round pick has allowed a shocking 99 pressures, including 13 sacks, over his career. Yikes. That's basically an open invitation for 2025 third-rounder Charles Grant to step in at right tackle. Some folks are even saying Grant is a better fit for Klint Kubiak's offense. That's not a good sign for Glaze at all. And as for Decamerion Richardson? Man, his goose might already be cooked. He had a few bright moments as a rookie, which is cool. But in year two? He was just a special teamer. He only saw the field defensively in Week 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs. One game! Think about it, since they drafted this Mississippi State product, the organization has brought in *four* new notable cornerbacks: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Jermod McCoy, and Hezekiah Masses. That's a loaded room, and it makes Richardson a massive cut candidate this summer. You gotta wonder what's going on there. So, when you look at that 2024 class, outside of Brock Bowers, it's a real struggle. These guys are fighting for their jobs, for their careers, right now in training camp. It's a make-or-break season, and for most of these Raiders' picks, the break might be coming sooner rather than later. What a wild ride this summer is going to be for them. Who makes it, and who vanishes from the roster entirely?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.