​This summer, Silver and Black Pride has been digging into the Las Vegas Raiders’ draft history, revisiting each class since the organization relocated. Up next is the 2023 draft class, which featured nine picks, yet only three players remain on the roster. Of those three, all are entering the final year of their rookie contracts, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this installment of the series. This marks the last lookback of the summer, since the entirety of the 2024 class and much of the 2025 group are still with the Raiders.
Raiders Stats: 50 games, 91 tackles, 16 TFLs, 12 sacks (3 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: N/A
Current Team: New Orleans Saints
Wilson’s career stands as another example within the franchise’s history of first-round busts. The Texas Tech product never established himself in Vegas, managing just seven starts despite living up to a Top-10 billing on draft day. While he showed solid run-stopping ability, he failed to develop as a pass-rusher, which led to a trade for a fifth-round pick—the Raiders used that selection on Arizona safety Dalton Johnson—to the Saints. Looking ahead to 2026, Wilson will embark on a fresh start with a new team, and he’ll have plenty to prove since the Saints chose not to exercise his fifth-year option.
Raiders Stats: 38 games, 83 catches, 788 yards, 3 TDs (3 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: N/A
Current Team: Raiders
Mayer’s tenure in Las Vegas hasn’t lived up to the hype. Viewed as a solid value pick at the top of the second round, he has never surpassed 350 receiving yards in a season and has been uneven as a blocker. Injuries and a prolonged absence during the 2024 campaign have contributed to his limited production. Still, this season might be his make-or-break moment: the Notre Dame product is looking to show he can be a dependable second tight end within Klint Kubiak’s 12-personnel-heavy offense.
Raiders Stats: 6 games, 4 tackles, 0 TFLs, 0 sacks (1 season)
Post-Raiders Stats: 17 games, 37 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks (1 season)
Current Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Selecting Byron Young in the third round remains a controversial note from this class. Many viewed the pick as overdrafted, especially given that the Rams would soon select a different Byron Young seven spots later. The Alabama defensive tackle didn’t see much action as a rookie and was cut at the end of training camp in year two. He later joined the Eagles and, after missing all of 2024 with an injury, contributed as a depth player in their defensive-line rotation last year.
Raiders Stats: 50 games, 123 catches, 1,566 yards, 10 TDs (3 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: N/A
Current Team: Raiders
Tucker stands out as the clear best selection from this draft class for the Raiders. His production and impact have set him apart among his peers from the 2023 group, underscoring the divergence in outcomes across the class. Tucker has delivered consistently, delivering a bright spot amid the mixed results of the other picks.