When the Las Vegas Raiders were on the clock with the No. 13 pick two weeks ago, they made an easy decision.
Antonio Pierce addressed the local media for the first time since the NFL Draft in which the Silver and Black selected eight players. Pierce had previously stated this offseason that the team would look to amplify the quarterback position through the draft. However, according to him and General Manager Tom Telesco, they decided to look elsewhere once the top six quarterback prospects were taken before their selection.
They were stunned to see two-time John Mackey Award winner Brock Bowers still on the board. An offensive weapon of his caliber was just too rare to pass up in that spot.
"We didn't think he would be there at 13," Pierce said Friday morning. "I was just shocked to see it and it was like, 'OK, you started counting. Wow, no brainer there.' ... He's all about ball and he's a winner. He's tough. He wants to get better."
Pierce was pleased with how his first draft as an NFL head coach went, crediting Telesco and his scouting department for easing the process. He described a sense of cohesion among the staff with the ability to bounce things off of each other and identify players that will fit the vision for the team.
And as always, Pierce made it clear what identity he's chasing and how his latest draft picks could contribute to that.
"We've got some gritty, grimy, nasty, back-alley guys," he said. "More importantly, we got size. I think you look at the two O-linemen, both gritty, tough, physical, length, power. You look at what we did on the backend, speed with the secondary and got a MIKE linebacker in Tommy [Eichenberg], who when you come from Ohio State and you talk to the players there, he was kind of the bell cow for them. Then we got this little running back from New Hampshire man, and he's unique.
"It's a very good group of guys. I think the coolest part about the whole draft was getting on the phone with them and hearing their excitement, wanting to be Raiders. So, I think it was a good match."
As the new Raiders approach their first practice of rookie minicamp, every player comes in on level playing field with hopes and aspirations of playing in one on Sundays.
"We've got 32 Raiders here," Pierce said. "I don't care if he's the 13th pick or the guy that's trying out. They've got a Raider uniform on, we're going to treat them accordingly. They earned the right to stay here, they earned the right to get more reps. I'm just excited to get them here, man. It's just good to get a full roster. ... We can kind of like put this thing together, right, start to build this team and what we want it to look for, for the 2024 season."
Head inside Raiders Headquarters as the 2024 rookie class arrives for minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Ja'Quan Sheppard (46) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Phalen Sanford (42) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Clark Barrington (64) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Linebacker Fred Thompkins (48) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jeff Foreman (80) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (76) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Woo Governor (44) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) arrives to Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) and wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Phalen Sanford (42) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Phalen Sanford (42) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Phalen Sanford (42) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jake Johanning (63) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jake Johanning (63) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) in the locker room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) in the locker room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback M.J. Devonshire (26) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback M.J. Devonshire (26) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback M.J. Devonshire (26) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Linebacker Fred Thompkins (48) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tulu Griffin (81) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tulu Griffin (81) tries on helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jeff Foreman (80) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) in the locker room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jeff Foreman (80) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end TJ Franklin (57) tries on helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (76) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (76) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Woo Governor (44) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Ja'Quan Sheppard (46) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Ja'Quan Sheppard (46) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Clark Barrington (64) tries on pads in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Clark Barrington (64) tries on a helmet in the equipment room at Intermountain Health Performance Center before the start of 2024 Rookie Minicamp.
