Aside from Shedeur Sanders, no one made more headlines at the 2025 draft than ESPN’s Mel Kiper.
Sanders was the no. 5 overall prospect on Kiper’s draft board, and the long-time draft analyst was unable to comprehend how the Colorado quarterback ended up falling to the fifth round.
Every year, Kiper grades each team’s draft and to the surprise of no one, he handed out his highest grade to the Cleveland Browns for taking Sanders.
Cleveland’s head coach and GM didn’t seem excited about drafting Sanders, but Kiper loved the pick.
Getting Sanders in the fifth round was definitely a good value for the Browns, but the television cameras on Friday evening certainly made it seem like Shedeur is headed into a hornet’s nest.
As for the Raiders, Kiper gave first-year GM John Spytek his 13th-best draft grade, tied with 7 other teams.
Kiper handed out a “B” grade to the Raiders and particularly liked the Ashton Jeanty pick…
“The Ashton Jeanty-Raiders connection has been out there for a while. I’ve been projecting the elite running back to Vegas since before the combine. As soon as the Raiders hired Pete Carroll and traded for quarterback Geno Smith, it made sense. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards last season, but the even more impressive number is his 1,733 rushing yards after first contact. He has the contact balance, vision, elusiveness and speed to find a hole and go. Carroll has leaned on the run game in the past, and now he gets his Marshawn Lynch to dominate on the ground in the AFC West...
The Raiders really needed to make a splash, too. They were last in rushing (3.6 yards per carry), and 33-year-old Raheem Mostert was at the top of the depth chart Thursday morning. I talk a lot about how teams should never take running backs in the first round, and this is the earliest we’ve seen one selected since Saquon Barkley went second in 2018. I’m lifting that philosophy for this pick. Jeanty was my No. 4 prospect. I’m OK with this one.”
Elsewhere on offense, Kiper liked TCU wide receiver Jack Bech in round 2 and Charles Grant in round 3…
“The Raiders kept helping Smith and the offense, too. Jack Bech can make plays downfield and in tight coverage. And Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant provide instant depth to the offensive line. I love Grant’s game in particular. The former high school wrestler is explosive and physical, and he has 34¾-inch length. If Las Vegas coaches him up, it might have something with him — though it might take time. Even the sixth-round dart throw at Tommy Mellott — a quarterback turned receiver — could be interesting. His workout got scouts talking. Las Vegas averaged 17.8 points per game last season, 28th in the NFL. But this offensive unit could move the chains in 2025. Sign me up for Jeanty, Bech, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers all day.”
Kiper was less enthusiastic about the Raiders’ defensive acquisitions, which makes sense considering 5 of their first 6 picks were offensive players…
“It’s easy to get excited about the offensive upgrades and forget about the defensive turnover, though. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Tre’von Moehrig and Robert Spillane losses could hurt. Darien Porter was the only defensive pick before Round 4. He’s speedy, but he’s still learning the cornerback position after switching from receiver. Tonka Hemingway is an undersized 3-technique, and I’m not positive how fellow defensive tackle JJ Pegues fits into the mix. I wonder if he’s more of a fullback in the pros. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg is probably a special-teamer.”
Kiper loved the trades down that Spytek made on Friday night…
One more note: I shouted this out Friday, but the pair of Day 2 trade-backs was good business. The Raiders traded Nos. 37 and 143 to Miami for Nos. 48, 98 and 135. Then, they traded back again, sending No. 48 to Houston for Nos. 58 and 99. Las Vegas took some swings in the late rounds because of these trades, and it ended up with 11 picks.”
Kiper’s lowest grades in the draft when to the Cincinatti Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, who both received “C” grades.
x: @raidersbeat
Do we really even care what Mel kiper thinks, I mean he had Sanders as his top quarterback? LOL
Mel Kiper is 2 qts low !!!
1 pot of espresso, 12 cans of RedBull and 12 cans of monster energy. Okay my name is Mel kipper I’m ready to go on the air.😳😳
Kiper my apologies kipper
KIper will Just bitch slap people and Riddick is lucky he still has a head on his neck
Who the hell is Mel kiper jr?
Isn’t a kipper a fish🐟🐠
The Raiders could’ve drafted better players. In round 2 they could’ve drafted Jalen Noel instead of Bech. In round 3 they could’ve drafted Shavon Revel. In round 4 they could’ve drafted Jalen Royals. Three fumbles 🫤
I think teams who needed QBs in the draft will regret not taking Shedeur. An 80% completion rate when he has a clean pocket is insane. He’s been playing in a pro system since middle school. Definitely worth a take in the 4th round by the Raiders. I hate we missed that opportunity.