Raiders sophomore Week 16: Aidan O’Connell helps beat Jaguars

Let’s take a look at how the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2023 draft class performed in a 19-14 Week 16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and what to expect in a Week 17 game at the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT.

Six of the nine players from the draft class are currently in the program. The Raiders cut third-round pick Byron Young and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was inactive in Week 1. Seventh-round pick, defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera was released in Week 7 and is now on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Fourth-round pick starting cornerback Jakorian Bennett is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Tyree Wilson:

The No. 7 overall draft pick played a career-best 75 percent of snaps while Maxx Crosby sat out this season. He had two quarterback hits and now has nine this season. He had a tackle. With a strong finish to this season, Wilson can bolster his case for more playing time in 2025. The Raiders would like to see more consistency from him.

Michael Mayer:

Mayer played 61 percent of the offensive snaps, his lowest mark in four games. He was targeted once and had no catches. He has one catch in the last two games after having seven in Week 14 at Tampa Bay. The second-round pick out of Notre Dame has 16 catches for 121 yards in nine games.

Tre Tucker:

The speedy third-round pick played 92 percent of the snaps and had two catches for 41 yards on four targets. He has skills, but he has to do more. Tucker has totaled seven catches for 124 yards in the last four games. That’s a poor level of production for someone playing starter snaps.

Aidan O’Connell:

O’Connell wasn’t great against Jacksonville after missing the Atlanta game. But he made some plays with his arm and, yes, even his feet as Las Vegas broke a 10-game losing streak. He’ll likely be the backup in 2025, but the Raiders want him to show consistency in the final two games.

Chris Smith:

The fifth-round safety out of Georgia played a season-low 8 snaps on special teams against Jacksonville.

Amari Burney:

The sixth-round pick played 9 snaps at linebacker and 23 snaps on special teams in Week 16.

Diploma:

The consistency of Wilson and O’Connell is critical in New Orleans.