Raiders Urged to Add ‘Hidden Gem’ With 4.38 40-Yard Dash Speed.
The Las Vegas Raiders received strong safety play from Marcus Epps and Tre’von Moehrig last season. However, they’re both under contract for one more season and there hasn’t been any word on an extension for either.
Though safety isn’t a pressing need for 2024, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes the Raiders should draft “hidden gem” safety out of Florida State Akeem Dent.
“The Raiders might be set at safety for the 2023 season, but it would make sense for them to target the position at some point in the draft,” Ballentine wrote in an April 3 column. “Tre’Von Moehrig is on the final year of his rookie deal while is set to finish out the two-year contract he signed in 2023.
“Thus, it would make sense that the Raiders would find someone who could be developed into a contributor by 2024.”
Dent has been flying under the radar and didn’t participate at the NFL Scouting Combine. It’s possible that he’ll be available as an undrafted free agent but if the Raiders like him, they could take him with one of their late-round picks.
Akeem Dent Is an Impressive Athlete
Akeem Dent wasn’t overly productive at Florida State and had only one interception in five years. However, he has very impressive athletic traits. Alex Ballentine details why Dent could be appealing to NFL teams.
“The experienced safety lit up his pro day in Tallahassee with a 6.72 three-cone time that would have been first among the safeties at the combine and a 4.38 40-yard dash, per Ryan Fowler of B/R,” Ballentine wrote.
“Dent has the versatility to play as a deep safety but also has the potential to play a little in the slot as well. His size might prevent him from being a box safety, but his athleticism and experience make him a worthwhile gamble for a Raiders team that could need safeties in a year.”
Using a seventh-round pick to add a player with traits like Dent isn’t too much of a risk. He could be worth taking a look at if the Raiders are confident that they can get more out of him than Florida State did.
