We are just days away from the Las Vegas Raiders opening their 2025 season and experts have begun putting out their NFL power rankings for Week 1.
The Raiders are in a transition year, with the team hiring head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, and bringing in quarterback Geno Smith, who will hopefully improve a quarterback situation that was one of the worst in the league last season.
The Raiders don’t have a high bar to clear in order to improve after the team won just four games last season. But Carroll has made it clear this isn’t a rebuilding situation and the Raiders are trying to compete right away.
Do experts believe the Raiders can make some noise in 2025? Let’s find out by taking a look at different power rankings to see where Las Vegas lands.
NFL power rankings Week 1
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 20
Iyer: “The Raiders are relying a lot on their coaching experience with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly to somewhat remain competitive in the loaded AFC West. Geno Smith and Asthon Jeanty can help stabilize the offense, but the D beyond Maxx Crosby is what truly puts them behind the rest of the West.”
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 27
Davis: “Maybe first-round RB Ashton Jeanty justifies the hype. Maybe Tyree Wilson, their top pick in 2023, is finally ready to help DE Maxx Crosby. Maybe QB Geno Smith won’t have to give way to recently obtained Kenny Pickett. Notice a theme of maybes?”
Mike Clay, ESPN: 30
Clay: “Perhaps Pete Carroll can coach this team out of the basement, but even with the additions of QB Geno Smith and RB Ashton Jeanty on offense and the presence of edge Maxx Crosby on an otherwise shaky defense, this roster has too many weak points. I had them ranked last at wide receiver and 30th overall in my positional group rankings.
Robert Zeglinski and Christian D’Andrea, For The Win: 21
Zeglinski: “How many wins is Pete Carroll worth? How about Geno Smith? What about Brock Bowers with his first full NFL training offseason under his belt? The Raiders probably won’t be very good in 2025. But something tells me this trio is enough to see them ruining some Sundays for contenders now and then.”
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