Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: S Akeem Dent, FSU
The Las Vegas Raiders have a new head coach and general manager in place, so they can turn their attention to the offseason, thinking heavily about adding pieces to the team.
That includes the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Raiders hope to add young talent to their roster for the coming seasons.
The Raiders came up short of making the postseason this past season, so they hope these young players can help push them over the top.
One of those players could be Florida State safety Akeem Dent, who recently declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft after an impressive career with the Seminoles.
Dent leaves Tallahassee with 187 total tackles, five tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, 16 passes defended and an interception.
Dent stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 185 pounds and is one of the smaller safeties in the class, with a tall, slender frame and a narrow lower body.
Dent’s stature should allow him to play safety and slot cornerback at the next level, which could entice the Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders could be intrigued by Florida State safety Akeem Dent in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun-USA TODAY NETWORK
On tape, Dent showed some impressive flashes. He can survive at the next level as both a run and pass defender, showing long strides when covering ball carriers against the run and good speed to stay with receivers in the passing game.
Dent is one of the best coverage safeties in the draft. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed only three receptions in coverage for 27 yards and did not allow a touchdown.
The numbers don’t lie, either. Dent has the speed, quickness and IQ to line up against receivers and eliminate them from the game plan. He does not have long arms, but he knows how to use his frame to cause problems for quarterbacks.
However, Dent might be more impressive as a run defender. He has excellent instincts and is able to stop ball-carriers as soon as he identifies the play. While he is small, he is not afraid to be physical.
While he can play physically, Dent’s size might cause him problems in the NFL. He is slim, which could cause problems when he is trying to wrap up. Dent also occasionally takes bad angles to the ball, allowing the offensive player to pick up extra yards.
Dent could improve his stock if he tests well, and if the Raiders are looking for someone to add to their secondary who plays with an edge in both the running and passing games, Dent could be a fit.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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