Raiders draft for upside in fourth-round corner Decamerion Richardson

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 10:09 a.m.

Updated Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 4:06 p.m.

The third day of the draft is the time to take some big swings on high-upside players, and the Raiders did just that with their first pick in the fourth round, nabbing Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson at No. 112 overall.

If you’re looking at the stat sheet, Richardson was not a productive defensive back in his four years at Mississippi State. He played in 33 games for the Bulldogs and did not intercept a single pass, and he logged 7.0 pass breakups as a senior.

What makes Richardson an intriguing selection is his potential. He checks in at 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, and he tore up the track at the NFL scouting combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds.

General manager Tom Telesco said the team's goal was to add speed with their first pick on Day 3.

“One thing we were talking about, whoever we’re taking, we said ‘Let’s get some speed, no matter which position it is,’” Telesco said. “We were lucky enough to get the corner who has got some big time speed and some length and size, and a really good athlete.”

Richardson graded out as the best athlete among all defensive backs in this year’s class, which is why he was widely projected as a Day 3 pick despite his meager college production.

Richardson believes his athletic traits will translate to the NFL level.

“I feel like I’m just coming in, bringing my speed to the outside cornerback position,” he said.

The secondary was a major need area for Las Vegas entering the draft. The Raiders have fourth-year corner Nate Hobbs set to start in the slot, and mid-season acquisition Jack Jones has a knack for the spectacular at one outside corner spot. The depth chart thins out after that, leaving an opening for someone like Richardson to make an impression.

The later rounds of the draft have turned up some good players for the Raiders in recent years. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby was a fourth-round pick in 2019, and Hobbs was a fifth-rounder in 2021.

The Raiders used their first-round pick, No. 13 overall, on Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. They took Oregon offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson at No. 44 and Maryland offensive tackle Delmar Glaze at No. 77.

Las Vegas allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 66.7% of their passes in 2023, which ranked 26^th out of 32 teams. Their opposing passer rating of 89.3 ranked 15^th.

General manager Tom Telesco went with Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg in the fifth round (No. 148 overall). Eichenberg played four years with the Buckeyes and enjoyed his most productive campaign as a junior in 2022, compiling 120 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. As a senior, he played in 10 games and finished with 82 tackes, 2.5 TFLs and 1.0 sacks.

Eichenberg was particularly effective in the run game; Pro Football Focus credited him with 75 run stops over the last two years, which ranked first among all Big Ten linebackers.

Eichenberg and Richardson could profile as special teams contributors as they learn the ropes on defense.

With their sixth-round pick, the Raiders snagged Dylan Laube, a running back from New Hampshire who could also see time as a kick and punt returner.

Laube, a 5-foot-10, 208-pound New York native, was one of the most productive and versatile skill players at the FCS level last year. He carried the ball 160 times for 749 yards and nine touchdowns and also caught 68 balls for 699 yards and another seven scores. As a return man, he averaged 31.1 yards running back kicks and 11.1 yards on punt returns, with one touchdown apiece.

Laube's Zoom meeting with the media was the most energetic of any of the Raiders' 2024 picks.

“I’m just jacked up right now,” Laube said. “I’m so ready to go to camp.”

Laube sported a Raiders cap during the press conference, thanks to some good planning by his father, who purchased hats with logos from all 32 teams before the draft.

“I think tomorrow he’s going to have to return 31 caps,” Laube said.

Laube intrigued scouts at the combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, drawing comparisons to all-around running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler and Alvin Kamara.

Telesco cautioned that Laube has a long way to go to measure up to the NFL accomplishments of players like Ekeler and Danny Woodhead, both of whom played under Telesco with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, but allowed that some of Laube's traits stack up.

“As far as the concept of style and how they play, yeah, there are some similarities there,” Telesco said. “If Dylan is smart, which he is, he has probably studied those two guys, and hopefully he’ll have the same type of career.”

Laube believes his special teams talents will give him a leg up in the NFL, calling it the most underrated aspect of a football game.

“You’ve got offense, defense and also special teams,” he said. “I take pride in playing receiver, running back, but I think special teams is what separates me from other running backs in this class.”

With the first of two seventh-round picks, the Raiders took someone who may be familiar to local fans, selecting Air Force defensive back Trey Taylor at No. 223.

Taylor posted 74 tackles and intercepted three passes in 2023, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

In a Nov. 18 meeting with UNLV, Taylor recorded three tackles and an interception. Taylor was named to the All-Mountain West first team and won the Jim Thorpe award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive back.

At No. 229, the Raiders put a wrap on their draft weekend by taking Pitt cornerback M.J. Devonshire. As a fifth-year senior in 2023, Devonshire made 32 tackles and intercepted four passes, running one back for a touchdown. He finished his college career with eight picks and three touchdown returns.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.