On the heels of a disheartening 4-13 season, the Las Vegas Raiders are looking ahead to the upcoming draft.
Despite an early season surprise win at the Baltimore Ravens in week two, the Raiders were never able to keep any momentum in Antonio Pierce’s first full season as head coach. Losing ten games in a row in the heart of the season sunk the momentum Pierce had going into the season and ultimately cost him his job.
Looking ahead, the Raiders have a superstar to build around on defense in Maxx Crosby (even if there are some doubters), while Brock Bowers proved to be one of the league’s best tight ends in his first NFL season.
And while the likes of Bovada are encouraged by the presence of Crosby and Bowers in Las Vegas, is the team any closer to winning a championship than they were a year ago?
Heading into the offseason, many among the fan base would have said the Raiders primary focus should be finding a franchise quarterback who can deliver big plays when the pressure is on. Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder came up short to differing degrees in 2024, but none of them were able to separate themselves as a bona fide QB1.
Now, though, the coaching staff in Vegas may feel they have found the missing piece of the puzzle.
Geno Smith Acquired
On March 13th, Tom Brady and company successfully managed to bring former Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith to the Raiders.
Not only did they acquire the former second-round pick, but they also tied Smith down to a mega-money two-year extension that will tie him to the Raiders through the 2027 season.
But that dynamic has done little to alleviate the online gambling sites’ faith – or lack thereof – in the Raiders going forward. The latest online gambling odds at Bovada currently have the Raiders as a distant +11000 longshot to mount a shock Super Bowl bid next term. However, it is worth mentioning that those odds have shortened somewhat with the team’s recent dealings.
Running Back
Despite signing veteran RB Raheem Mostert in free agency, there are still plenty of holes in the Raiders’ ground game. A mix of injuries and ineffective blocking contributed to an anemic rushing attack and that is something that needs to be addressed – either in the draft or via trade/free agency – if Vegas is to make an impression on a competitive AFC West.
Mostert’s explosiveness adds speed, but he’s better suited to a complementary role rather than the feature back. He is also 32 years old. To remedy this, the Raiders need to target a physical, dynamic runner in the draft – and this year’s draft is full of talent at the running back position.
Coming in at six on the board, it remains to be seen whether Boise State powerhouse Ashton Jeanty will be available, especially with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming in at pick five. If they pass on Jeanty or he isn’t on the board, the Raiders may well have to settle for Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson – two runners who are by no means unproven at the collegiate level.
Wide Receiver
While Bowers proved to be a versatile weapon at the tight end position last year, wideout Jakobi Meyers also delivered and is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league.
Two-way sensation Travis Hunter is a menace both at wide receiver and at cornerback, but it’s almost certain he will be taken in the first five picks of the draft. Providing that the aforementioned running back Jeanty is also already claimed, the Raiders might opt for Arizona Wildcats star Tetairoa McMillan with their first-round pick.
Despite now having elite speed, McMillan is a smooth operator, and with Meyers doing the bulk of the playmaking, he could provide a reliable target in the redzone.
Other wideouts with near first-round grades are Matthew Golden, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka. If one of them is still available in the second round, then the Raiders would do well to snag one with pick 37.
Cornerback
The Raiders’ secondary gave up the ninth-fewest completions of 20+ yards but struggled in critical downs. Depth at cornerback was razor-thin, compounded by injuries.
With Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs no longer in the mix, there’s an urgent need for a cornerback on Pete Carroll’s roster.
University of Michigan standout Will Johnson has big potential and could go in the top ten, but injury issues and questionable straight-line speed have marred his evaluation.
Other draft needs on the roster include offensive line, linebacker, and it might not be a bad idea for the Raiders to invest in more youth along the defensive interior.
The article points out a weak offensive line yet doesn’t mention the OL as a need. Furthermore, a weak OL doesn’t bode well for our quarterback either. Let Geno get the job done, and improve the OL to let him do it.
If we can improve upon our OL via Free Agency, we should draft our other gaping hole on the other side of the ball at the CB position with Pick 6. I’d then follow up with RB and WR picks in the later rounds.
I don’t see Sanders fitting into a need whatsoever. If he were a can’t-miss QB, of course, draft him. He isn’t.
Let’s face it, it’s going to be a 3 to 4-year turnaround considering all the mistakes made in the past. The NFL has become a league where you either make the playoffs or you need to tank to get a top 3 pick. I wish they’d follow the draft lottery the NBA has in place.