Raiders Complete Majority of Draft Class Signings with Guard and Defensive Tackle Agreements, Building Foundation for Offensive Line Overhaul

The Las Vegas Raiders have now signed seven of their ten draft picks, sources confirm, with guard Trey Zuhn III and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland putting pen to paper on their respective rookie contracts. The signings represent continued progress in the team's effort to get its 2024 draft class under contract before training camp, and they signal the Raiders' clear commitment to addressing interior offensive line depth and bolstering the defensive front seven, two areas of significant concern heading into next season.

Per sources close to the situation, Zuhn and Cleveland completed their agreements with the team within the past 48 hours, joining five other draft selections already locked in. The momentum in getting rookies signed early reflects newly hired coach Pete Carroll's desire to have his full roster assembled and acclimated to the system well before the start of the regular season. Carroll, known for his meticulous preparation and his emphasis on player development, has made it a priority to get young players integrated into the organization as quickly as possible.

Zuhn, selected in the third round out of the University of Nebraska, projects to compete immediately for snaps along the Raiders' interior offensive line. Multiple sources indicate the organization views him as a potential long-term starter capable of playing both guard positions, a versatility that has become increasingly valuable in modern NFL offense. His signing is particularly noteworthy given the Raiders' ongoing struggles along the offensive line, where continuity and improvement have been elusive commodities. The team's cap situation allowed for straightforward negotiations with Zuhn, as third-round picks carry predictable salary structures tied to league-wide rookie wage scale parameters. Sources familiar with the negotiations say Zuhn was eager to get downtown Las Vegas and begin his NFL career, showing the kind of professional approach that caught the Raiders' attention during the pre-draft process.

Cleveland, the seventh-round selection from the University of Florida, adds depth to a defensive tackle rotation that figures to be in flux heading into training camp. Per sources with knowledge of the team's defensive plans, Cleveland was viewed as a high-floor prospect capable of contributing on early downs and potentially developing into a pass rusher with additional weight gain and strength coaching. The Raiders' defensive line has been inconsistent, and internal evaluations have determined that more competition for reps was necessary. Cleveland's signing gives defensive coordinator Patrick Graham additional options to work with, even if the rookie figures to spend significant time on the practice squad initially while he develops his craft against professional competition.

The strategic value of these signings extends beyond the individual players themselves. I am told the Raiders are using their draft class signings as an opportunity to evaluate how quickly each prospect can absorb the pro game's demands. Carroll's system is comprehensive and demanding, and early access to players during the offseason allows coaching staff to identify who can handle the learning curve and who might need additional time to develop. The cap implications are straightforward for both players. Zuhn's three-year deal, like most third-round picks, will carry a fifth-year team option, meaning the Raiders have controllable cost for a significant portion of his rookie contract. The economics are heavily tilted in the team's favor, and sources indicate Las Vegas structured the deal to allow for maximum flexibility if the player does not progress as anticipated.

Cleveland's seventh-round contract is even more favorable from a team perspective. His salary cap hit is minimal, and the Raiders essentially have him locked in for two years with minimal guaranteed money beyond signing bonus considerations. This type of arrangement is standard for late-round selections, but it underscores how the team continues to build roster depth on the cheap, a necessity given the organization's previous spending patterns that have left limited cap space for future free agent additions. The team's financial situation, per multiple sources, remains tight heading into next season, which is precisely why efficient draft execution has become so critical to general manager Tom Telesco's long-term vision.

The signings also reflect Carroll's philosophical approach to roster construction. Known for his emphasis on developmental players and his ability to maximize college tape evaluation, Carroll has consistently prioritized getting prospects into the fold early so they can acclimate to professional training methods and system demands. The Raiders' coaching staff has been impressed with both Zuhn and Cleveland during pre-draft evaluations, sources say, and early access allows the organization to confirm those assessments. In Carroll's experience across multiple NFL stops, early integration has proven invaluable in determining which draft prospects will contribute and which will need extended development time.

From an offensive line perspective, Zuhn's signing is particularly significant. The Raiders have cycled through numerous starting combinations at guard in recent seasons, and continuity remains a major concern. By getting Zuhn signed early, the team can begin exposing him to the team's offensive system and allowing him to develop chemistry with center and tackle combinations. Per sources, the Raiders envision Zuhn as a potential multi-year starter, which is why securing his agreement quickly takes on added importance. The organization wants to accelerate his learning curve and reduce the typical rookie mistakes that often plague interior offensive linemen who have not had adequate time in system work.

The defensive side mirrors this thinking. Cleveland may not be immediate help at defensive tackle, but early integration into the program allows Graham and his staff to determine whether he has the requisite size, athleticism, and football intelligence to contribute in coming seasons. Late-round defensive linemen frequently surprise organizations that invest properly in their development, and the Raiders clearly believe Cleveland falls into that category. Sources say the team was impressed with his motor and work ethic during the pre-draft process, attributes that often prove more predictive of success than measurables alone.

With seven of ten picks now signed, the Raiders are approaching the completion of their draft class agreements. I am told the remaining three selections are expected to sign within the coming weeks, likely before the start of organized team activities in the spring. The relatively smooth process in getting rookies signed early stands in contrast to previous years, suggesting improved organizational efficiency and clarity in how the team values its draft selections.

The next development to monitor will be how quickly Zuhn and Cleveland integrate into practice settings and whether the early signings pay dividends when training camp opens in late July. Carroll's emphasis on development means the coaching staff will document progress meticulously, and both players will have ample opportunity to prove themselves against the team's veteran depth chart members.