Since the close of the 2025 NFL Draft, there has been no shortage of analysis around the draft and how the picks played out. But one of the more interesting critiques around the Raiders’ draft, actually came ahead of the draft.
Two weeks before the draft, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold listed seven players who have “played their way up the charts through on-field production and pre-draft work.”
Two of the players on Legwold’s list were taken by the Raiders on the second day of the draft.
The first player mentioned was a cornerback the Raiders hope to plug in with the starters as soon as possible.
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Round 3, Pick 68 Overall
“Porter was a Day 3 ‘maybe’ for some teams because of his quirky resume,” Legwold wrote on April 13. “He’s 24 years old, he played six college seasons, he switched from wide receiver to defensive back in 2022, and all seven of his collegiate starts came in 2024. But he has worked his way into being a solid Day 2 selection.”
From the same ESPN story, Legwold listed the turning point in Porter’s draft projection and why the newest Raiders’ cornerback was moving up draft boards…
Turning point: Porter made an early mark in Iowa State’s second game of the season, snagging two interceptions in a 20-19 win over rival Iowa. He only registered one more interception over the rest of the season, but he is the classic potential over production player — fitting the typical riser profile.
Why he rose: His measurements stood out at the combine, as his 6-foot-3 height and 33⅛-inch arm length gives him the coveted reach defensive coaches want. His 4.3-second 40-yard dash also tied for third among all players who ran. Porter showed that he has elite traits and is still an ascending player despite his age. Porter is also a high-value special teams player, with five blocked kicks in his career.
“I had to work a lot on my press [coverage skills]. I converted from wide [receiver] to corner, and especially with my frame, I’ve got long arms and really make receivers uncomfortable at the line of scrimmage. … I had great success this past season but still think that there’s a lot left. And really I’m just scratching the surface. My best football is still ahead of me.” — Porter on moving from receiver to corner
The other name Legwold mentioned is a player the Raiders expect to have a significant role in the offense right away…
Jack Bech, WR, Texas Christian University
Round 2, Pick 58 Overall
“Bech was also considered a late Day 3 pick when the 2024 season started. But after becoming only the fifth TCU player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season (1,034), and his work at the Senior Bowl, Bech is solidly a Day 2 pick,” Legwold said on April 13.
From the same story…
Turning point: After two years of limited playing time at LSU and a 12-catch season at TCU in 2023, he showed smooth, precise routes with impeccable hands throughout last season. He then was one of the best players of Senior Bowl week. He finished it as the game’s MVP only a month after his brother, Tiger, died in the pickup truck attack in New Orleans.
Why he rose: His 2024 season drew attention, especially the confidence he showed with his routes and in contested-catch situations. He showcased his willingness to compete with the best defensive backs in the country in Mobile, consistently creating separation and finishing plays.
“I feel like I have the best hands in this draft class. That comes with just a lot of hard work after practice, trying to catch the most Jugs, not only on the team but out of anybody in the country, day in and day out. There wasn’t a practice that I skipped, where I wasn’t out there catching extra Jugs balls. That’s just where my confidence comes from.” — Bech on his potential
Overall, the Raiders seemed to thread the needle and draft for value as well as need.
The Raiders had needs at quarterback, offensive line, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and linebacker going into the draft, and the only position that didn’t get significant attention in the draft was the linebacker group.
For what it’s worth, the Raiders didn’t make a huge investment in the quarterback position in the draft, but they like former North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller more than you might think.
x: @raidersbeat
Seems like two very reasonable picks. Hope they both work out. Porter is especially interesting because of Pete Carroll’s history of having good secondaries and tall *** corners who can really beat the hell out of WRs at the line of scrimmage (ok, maybe all the way down the field during the prime Legion of Boom era). The rules are being enforced more tightly but a lot of analysts were saying he had a lot of potential playing off coverage, too. Old for a prospect, which I absolutely think matters, but given the position change and where he was drafted, I think those are solid mitigating factors. I also think Patrick Graham is smart enough to put him in a position to succeed.
Well said Dan
They are good players. But the Raiders left two players on the board that were better. WR Jaylin Noel and DB Shavon Revel