The Las Vegas Raiders are in the first year of the Pete Carroll-John Spytek era and we’ve already seen some massive changes on the roster.
On top of several defensive starters from 2024 leaving in free agency, the Raiders answered their biggest offseason question by pulling off a blockbuster trade for Geno Smith with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Raiders haven’t been as active in free agency as many expected them to be with so much cap space, which can be viewed a few ways. The Raiders now have a ton of needs to fill, but they also didn’t get desperate and overpay.
Luckily, the Raiders have a whopping nine picks in the 2025 NFL draft, so Las Vegas can build this thing up the right way.
In our latest mock draft, we give plenty of love to the offense, which needs the most help right now. However, we certainly didn’t neglect the defense. Here’s a look at how things shook out in our seven-round projection.
Raiders 7-round NFL mock draft
Round 1, Pick 6: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Raiders sported one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last season, partly because of poor blocking, and partly because of a lack of talent at the running back position. Jeanty is a do-it-all difference-maker who can lock down the position for years to come.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Jeanty plays a position that has become devalued on draft day, but his unique talent and the resurgence of the run game in the NFL should force teams to reconsider that factor when weighing his value. He’s the ultimate yardage creator, with the talent and skill set to succeed independent of the quality of his blocking. Jeanty’s speed forces linebackers to flow hard outside, creating cutback lanes and chunk runs, while his vision, balance and elusiveness get it done along the interior. The threat of what he can do on the ground should create ideal play-action opportunities for his team, allowing his next play-caller to, say, unburden a young quarterback or any other passer being asked to shoulder too much of the offense. He’s compact and muscular, but there could be some minor concern surrounding his massive workload in 2024. This top-flight running back is capable of becoming the face of an offense in a league where the pendulum might be swinging back to the running game. Jeanty has future All-Pro talent.”
Round 2, Pick 37: WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
The Raiders never replaced Davante Adams after trading him last season and the team is lacking a true No. 1 target at wide receiver. Ayomanor is a fantastic fit to address Las Vegas’ need, as he’s a powerful yet explosive playmaker who has the right size to play on the boundary.
Scouting report (Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network): “Overall, Ayomanor is a highly intriguing wideout whose best football remains down the line. Considering his size and movement profile, Ayomanor has the chance to evolve into a top-three weapon in an NFL offense.”
Round 3, Pick 68: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Jakorian Bennett had a breakout season in 2024, but things are murky opposite him. Jack Jones and Eric Stokes can be relied upon in starting roles. The versatile Porter can serve in multiple roles in Year 1 and eventually become the starter on the boundary opposite Bennett.
Scouting report (Daniel Harms, The Draft Network): “Porter’s age and lack of playing time will give NFL teams some pause, but the talent and athleticism are undeniable. He possesses the build, fluidity, length, and ball skills to be a high-end starter in the league who offers some safety and big nickel flexibility, and a floor as a core special teams contributor.”
Round 4, Pick 108: QB Will Howard, Ohio State
The trade for Geno Smith makes the Raiders’ situation at quarterback less dire, but he’s also set to turn 35 and has never proven he can put a team over the top. Chip Kelly would love to add his former quarterback as a potential long-term answer, and Las Vegas can afford Howard the extra development time he needs.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team): “Howard projects as a developmental quarterback prospect. His leap in play was aided by a strong supporting cast at Ohio State, but he boasts good leadership intangibles, ideal stature to win from the pocket, enough mobility to get outside and throw on the move, and more. However, his coverage diagnosis and accuracy are too infrequent to be considered a viable candidate to start early. He has enough upside to warrant potential as a spot starter down the road.”
Round 5, Pick 143: LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo are gone, and free-agent acquisitions Devin White and Elandon Roberts are both on one-year deals. Carter can line up both inside and outside and is a plus run defender.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Prototypical three-down linebacker who added muscle mass in 2024 without losing playmaking quickness. Carter overcomes average instincts and recognition with full-field range and elite body control in pursuit, though there is room for improvement with both his angles and leverage. Carter can play around or off the block and has the agility and reaction quickness for sudden adjustments as an open-field tackler. He’s capable in man coverage and stands out as both a blitzer and a spy for mobile quarterbacks. Carter’s demeanor, versatility and athletic profile give him a good chance of becoming a quality starter as a run-and-chase Will linebacker.”
Round 6, Pick 180: CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
With the departure of Nate Hobbs in free agency, the Raiders also have a hole in the slot. Longerbeam, who is a big culture guy, played outside at Rutgers but his size will dictate a move inside in the NFL.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team): “Longerbeam projects as a developmental nickel corner and special teams contributor. He’s a coverage-flexible talent who could be considered a viable option for most coverage types thanks to his foot speed and recovery burst, but he’ll likely be a matchup-specific talent due to his size unless he can add weight effectively.
Round 6, Pick 213: S Dean Clark, Fresno State
With Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao penciled in as starters, and with there not being much else behind those two, Las Vegas needs safety help. Clark impressed with his speed at the combine and will offer depth and special teams help, and possibly a long-term starting solution at safety down the line.
Scouting report (Zach Hicks, On SI): “Clark is an under-the-radar name in this draft who will likely be drafted much higher than most mocks have him at the moment. He is an older prospect, but he has a ton of experience under his belt. He’s played special teams in his career, and he is one of the premier athletes in the draft. Add in his history as a team captain at two schools, and that’s a player who most teams will look for in the round four or round five range. His film has some really fun flashes as well, especially in the pass game as a center-field safety. He is comfortable in his angles and has the explosiveness to cover ground in a hurry. In a class with very few safeties capable of manning the deep part of the field, Clark is an intriguing player.”
Round 6, Pick 215: DT Cam Horsley, Boston College
The re-signing of Adam Butler makes the Raiders’ need along the defensive line less dire, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use more bodies. Horsley thrives defending against the run, which would make him a nice complement to Butler.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Horsley offers the power and the athleticism to play either tackle spot in an even front. He has adequate first-step quickness and gets into blocks with a consistent base and solid anchor. He plays with better control and consistency as a press-and-read defender than he does as a one-gapping penetrator. He needs to improve his technique against move-blocking schemes to maintain gap integrity. He’s active and productive as a tackler but is below average as a rush option. Horsley could become a solid backup as a Day 3 selection.”
Round 7, Pick 222: TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
The Raiders lost Harrison Bryant and Michael Mayer could be traded. Conyers has the potential to be a true passing-game weapon who could create nightmares for opposing defenses with Brock Bowers in two tight end sets.
Scouting report (Daniel Harms, The Draft Network): “While Conyers’ production isn’t there, his athletic profile, ball skills, and versatility are intriguing. He needs to develop his blocking technique and route tree to round out his impact as an all-around tight end.”
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