Did the Raiders Dodge a Big Mistake in Round 1 of the 2024 Draft?

The Raiders hit a home run in 2024 draft by taking Brock Bowers, but how close did former GM Tom Telesco come to drafting someone else?

Just this week, the California Post’s Vinny Bonsignore shared a conversation he had with Telesco a while back, and Bonsignore said Telesco told him there was some debate in the draft room in 2024 around taking a “premium position” player instead of Bowers.

Ironically, one of the rookies known to be on the Raiders’ radar in 2024 was Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was released last month by the Detroit Lions.

As Arnold is facing numerous legal issues concerning accusations of kidnapping and armed robbery, Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers said he believes former head coach Antonio Pierce wanted to draft Arnold in the first round.

“I remember talking to [Arnold] before the draft and I know how talented he is. And I know how much Antonio Pierce liked him in that draft process,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders Squad Show podcast.

“Matter of fact, I would probably argue that Antonio Pierce wanted to draft him in the first round. He goes to the Lions at the back end of round number one.”

After the 2024 draft, Arnold said a source within the Raiders’ organization informed him that the choice between him and Bowers at the 13th pick was determined by a coin flip.

Pierce responded to the story at the time and said the choice was Bowers “all the way.”

Ryan Clark on X (formerly Twitter): “Spoke to @Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, & denied speaking to Terrion Arnold. “No call, and no coin flip.””As soon as the last two QBS Went off the board. We SAID BOWERS all the way.” -APHe also said the Bowers’ pick was ready before the Raiders were on the clock. / X”

Spoke to @Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, & denied speaking to Terrion Arnold. “No call, and no coin flip.””As soon as the last two QBS Went off the board. We SAID BOWERS all the way.” -APHe also said the Bowers’ pick was ready before the Raiders were on the clock.

The Raiders could have easily moved down in the draft and selected Arnold

One story that won’t need confirmation is that Telesco liked Bowers enough pass up on several trade opportunities for the 13 pick in 2024.

It was reported by two outlets that at least two teams were trying to move up for Bowers, and if those reports were accurate, why wouldn’t Telesco have taken a trade for pick 13 if the decision makers in the building were split on Bowers and Arnold?

Every organization likes to send the message that they are “all in” on their draft picks, but in the case of Bowers, it seems like the Raiders probably were – at least in terms of what the GM was thinking.

Maybe Pierce wanted Arnold (he is a defensive coach after all), but the opportunity to take Bowers was probably a consolation prize the former head coach was happy to accept.

x: @raidersbeat