The Las Vegas Raiders received good play from strong safety Marcus Epps and Tre’von Moehrig last year. However, they both have contracts for one more year and there's no news about extending their contracts.
Even though they don't urgently need a safety for 2024, Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report thinks the Raiders should pick a promising safety from 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.
That's why it would be a good idea for the Raiders to find someone who could contribute by 2024.
Dent hasn't gotten much attention and didn't take part in the NFL Scouting Combine. He might be available as an undrafted free agent, but the Raiders could take him with one of their late-round picks if they like him.
Akeem Dent Is an Impressive Athlete
Akeem Dent wasn't very productive at Florida State and only had one interception in five years. However, he has very impressive athletic abilities. Alex Ballentine explains why Dent could be appealing to NFL teams.
“The experienced safety performed very well at his pro day in Tallahassee with a 6.72 three-cone time that would have been the best among the safeties at the combine and a 4.38 40-yard dash, according to Ryan Fowler of B/R,” Ballentine wrote.
“Dent can play as a deep safety and also has the potential to play in the slot. He might not be suitable as a box safety due to his size, but his athleticism and experience make him a good choice for the Raiders who might need safeties next year.”
Using a seventh-round pick to add a player like Dent isn’t too much of a risk. He could be worth considering if the Raiders believe they can get more out of him than Florida State did.
Should Las Vegas Raiders Extend Tre’von Moehrig?
The Raiders’ safety position is in the best shape it has been in for years. However, that could quickly change if Tre’von Moehrig and/or Marcus Epps leave in free agency next year. The team has been quiet in free agency this year and could be saving salary cap space to extend players already on the roster.
Moehrig is an interesting player to watch in the coming months. He had an excellent rookie season but fell off in his second year. He was much better in 2023 and had a career-high three interceptions to go with 2.0 sacks. He looked more like the player the Raiders used a second-round pick on.
If Las Vegas thinks that Moehrig is an ascending player, it would be wise to extend him now. If he has a big 2024 season, his price will only go up. Now there is a risk that 2023 was a fluke for him but he was drafted highly and is only 24. He should have a bright future ahead of him.
