Raiders Called Out for 'Head-Scratching' Draft Pick
While the roster still needs tons of work, it is massively improved from last year's four-win team. The Raiders may not be a serious contender this season, but the new regime in Las Vegas is building the franchise the right way and positioning itself for a run in the coming years.
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech (18).Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
Not every pick in the draft was considered a homerun, however. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler asserted that the Raiders' selection of TCU wideout Jack Bech in the second round was the most head-scratching move of the draft.
Advertisement
"Bech has the ball skills and competitiveness to make a quick impact on the Las Vegas offense, and the Raiders had a solid draft in Spytek's first year at the helm," Fowler wrote. "But several scouts from around the league -- even ones that really like Bech -- felt the second round was a bit high and the third round might have been a more sensible range."
At the end of the day, it only really matters what the Las Vegas brass thought about Bech if they are the team that is selecting him. Besides the point is the fact that Bech was taken with the No. 58 pick, which is the end of the second round and just a few spots from the third round anyway.
Based on his track record and toughness, everything that Las Vegas wants out of Bech should come to fruition. Bech has a great chance to be a Week 1 starter for the Raiders, and if he can produce as a rookie, all doubters of this pick will be silenced.
Related: Maxx Crosby Makes Personal Announcement on Monday
Related: Raiders Hire Two-Time Super Bowl-Winning Exec to Key Front Office Role
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Introducing the Megathread: One place. All the football talk.
We're excited to launch our first 'Megathread' for Week 1 of the football season — and the conversation starts today! Each week, we'll open a single, dedicated chat called a Megathread that spans both the Yahoo Fantasy and Yahoo Sports apps. It's your go-to spot to talk about that week's matchups, plays, injuries and wins in real time. On the Yahoo Fantasy app, go to your matchup screen, jump in the conversation and stay in the action all week long. On the Yahoo Sports app, Megathreads are available via the NFL page. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Whether you're here for advice, ready to drop your hottest takes or just enjoying the chaos, the Megathread is a great place to connect with other fans and some of Yahoo's top NFL fantasy analysts. One big thread, for one big week, every week. One. Big. Megathread. Megathreads mark day 12 of our 28 Days of Fantasy. Follow it all here. FAQ: Where can I find the Week 1 Megathread? Megathreads exist on the matchup screen in the Yahoo Fantasy app and on the NFL page in the Yahoo Sports app. Who's in the Megathread? Fellow Fantasy managers, Yahoo Fantasy analysts and more. Everyone in the Yahoo Fantasy app and Yahoo Sports app communities can participate!
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kay Adams interviews Broncos stars at training camp
With the NFL's eyes on the Denver Broncos going into the 2025 season, FanDuel's Kay Adams, host of the Up and Adams show, spoke with the four Broncos who will hopefully play a crucial role in the success of the team: quarterback Bo Nix, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, cornerback Pat Surtain and head coach Sean Payton. Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton At the outset of the interview, Adams called Sutton and Nix "one of the best duos in the league." One of the reasons they are the one of the top quarterback-receiver duos is their chemistry. "It's a lot smoother Year 2," said Nix. "I know a lot more of what's going on, the huddle operation is much smoother, much better. Just a little bit more confident and still growing every day." Sutton was asked about his confidence in Bo Nix, and he gave an interesting response. "I think I underestimated how smart he is," said Sutton. "I kept saying that he was a smart individual, both on and off the field, but he's very mature and knowledgeable beyond his years." One of the biggest challenges, likely for the better, is when these two offensive stars face off against the best cornerback in the NFL, Pat Surtain, who is coming off winning Defensive Player of the Year. "He's the best in the game for a reason," said Nix. "I still feel like we got to attack him and give him some practice opportunities, give him looks, and that's the only way he's going to continue to get better. I tell him all the time, he's got to go back-to-back, he's got to be the best one again this year." Watch the full 17-minute, wide-ranging video below. Sean Payton Believe it or not, head coach Sean Payton is three wins away from passing one of his coaching mentors, Bill Parcells, for 15th on the all-time wins list. "We talk all the time," said Payton of his relationship with Parcells. "When I call Bill, and we talk football, we immediately go back into, he's the head coach and I'm the entry-level assistant, and I feel like I'm talking to my father." One of Payton's favorite sayings going into the 2025 offseason was that the Broncos had to find a "Joker" on offense. What does a "Joker" look like? "It is a running back or a tight end with elite, rare receiving skills," said Payton. "Travis Kelce is a Joker. (George) Kittle's a Joker." Adams interrupted, "RJ Harvey?" "Potentially," said Payton. "He hasn't earned his Joker wings yet." You can watch the full 18-minute interview below. Pat Surtain Adams also got to sit down with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain to get his take on an already dominant Broncos defense. "I can see the energy has shifted," said Surtain. "Just going from last year to this year, we got some new additions, key additions, great young guys." Besides Surtain, there are a number of other standouts on the Denver defense. But who stands out to Surtain? "Ja'Quan McMillian," said Surtain. "I mean, he's lights out. He makes plays left and right. It's a pleasure to guard and play with him because I just see his growth from being a rookie to where he's at now. It's a pleasure to watch him go work and go to action." You can watch the entire 13-minute sit-down with Adams and Surtain below. These four men are going to be essential if the Broncos are going to make noise in the NFL this fall. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Kay Adams talks to Nix, Sutton, Payton and Surtain
USA Today
3 minutes ago
- USA Today
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reveals prior double hip replacements after cancer treatments
Jerry Jones revealed his cancer treatment required both hips to be replaced, sharing how the experience shaped his perspective on football, life, and his time with the Cowboys. While discussing America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, the new Netflix documentary series chronicling the franchise's 1990s rise to prominence, Dallas owner Jerry Jones revealed new details about his past cancer battle. Jones' health became a topic after the series revealed his private fight with cancer starting in 2010, something he had not discussed publicly until now. The Hall of Fame owner said sharing his story was important because so many people face similar challenges, and he wanted fans to understand the perspective and gratitude he carried into each day with the Cowboys. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Jones shared that he underwent a clinical trial for a treatment called PD1 that 'really, really, really worked,' but at the cost of significant damage to his body. 'It ate my hips up,' Jones said. 'I had to have both hips replaced because it was rough on your bones. But other than that, I'm so proud to get to be sitting here with you guys and doing what we do.' Jones credited his time around the Cowboys and the NFL for helping him maintain a positive outlook during treatment. That same perspective carried into his experience watching the series, which he described as 'more emotional' than expected."It wasn't as pretty as I thought I remembered it. I made a lot of mistakes along the way," said Jones, "but... it did show moments of elation. That's football."He reflected that football is mostly about enduring challenges and working through tough moments, with only brief bursts of elation 'and there's not a whole lot in between,' according to the Cowboys Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys premieres August 19 on Netflix as an eight-part docuseries.
