It’s been an offseason of big changes for the Las Vegas Raiders. After a horrendous 2024 season, the Raiders brought in a new coaching staff led by Pete Carroll and a new general manager in John Spytek to take the team forward.
The team made some big additions to the roster, as well, trading for reliable veteran quarterback Geno Smith and signing cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Jeremy Chinn, among others.
Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the team could make some bold moves to improve the roster even further. Currently, the Raiders are slated to have the No. 6 pick in the first round, and hold eight additional picks later in the draft.
With it being draft week, it’s time to do another complete seven-round mock draft for the Raiders. This was done using Pro Football & Sports Network’s mock draft simulator.
Raiders 7-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
With their first pick in the draft, I had the Raiders immediately upgrading their offense in a big way.
Ashton Jeanty is an elite talent and unquestionably the best running back in this class. The Raiders desperately need to upgrade their running backs room after finishing dead-last in total rushing yards as a team in 2024.
Jeanty is a dynamic athlete who has elite speed and also often requires multiple defenders to be brought down. The Boise State product would also help out in the receiving game, as Jeanty caught 80 passes in 40 career games in college.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Jeanty could potentially be the best overall prospect in this class. We know that Pete Carroll loves to have a reliable running back, and Jeanty is just that.
Scouting report (The Draft Network): “Overall, Jeanty is one of the most versatile running backs in college football. He projects as a dual-usage starting running back who thrives in a multiple-run scheme offense. Jeanty’s patience and quickness through open lanes work well in pin/pull action and outside zone concepts. Despite his shorter frame, Jeanty has the tools to be a highly productive, all-purpose running back who can make an immediate impact in the NFL.”
*TRADE* – Round 1, Pick 24: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Raiders get: Pick No. 24 (Emeka Egbuka), 2026 third-round pick
- Vikings get: Pick Nos. 37, 143, 215, 2026 first-round pick
The Raiders get bold and decide to make a move back into the first round. In this scenario, the Raiders give up Nos. 37, 143, 215, and a 2026 first-rounder for the No. 24 pick and a 2026 third-rounder. The Minnesota Vikings are a prime trade candidate, as they have the fewest picks of any team and assuredly want to add some.
In this scenario, the Raiders trade up to land a potential WR1 in Emeka Egbuka, who is a crisp route-runner with short hands who produced at a high level at Ohio State. Moving up to the Vikings’ slot also allows the Raiders to leapfrog the Houston Texans, who will likely be interested in Egbuka, also.
The Raiders have a reliable veteran receiver in Jakobi Meyers and an elite young tight end in Brock Bowers. However, the team doesn’t have a true No. 1 option at receiver and Egbuka could develop into that. The receiver caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.
Scouting report (The Draft Network): “Egbuka is a productive, highly intelligent, and skilled run-after-catch WR prospect. He projects as a movement Z or slot receiver who will be very successful when aligned in the slot with a two-way go. His work in the quick game and the middle of the field translates to being a tough, chain-moving threat.”
*TRADE* – Round 3, Pick 76: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
- Raiders get: Pick Nos. 76 (Darien Porter), 149
- Cowboys get: Pick No. 68
Another trade comes in third round as the Raiders move back a little and also add a later pick. In this scenario, the Cowboys come up and give the Raiders No. 76 and No. 149 for No. 68.
So, the Raiders only move back eight slots and still get a cornerback who could start immediately. Darien Porter was a multi-year starter at Iowa State who burst onto the scene in 2024 with three interceptions.
The corner has the size and speed NFL teams want out of a boundary corner. In 2024, the corner earned a 79.4 Pro Football Focus grade and allowed a passer rating of just 4.7. In Vegas, Porter could start on the outside opposite Jakorian Bennett.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Sixth-year senior with elite traits and special teams talent but only one year of starting experience at cornerback. Porter’s rep total is heavy on zone coverages but he has the athleticism, burst and speed to handle more man coverage. He has excellent zone awareness with the twitch and ball skills to expand his sphere of influence. He uses his length to shade downfield throws but needs to get stronger to improve his press, his contest and his tackling in run support. More schooling is needed as a pattern-matcher but his athletic profile and instant impact on special teams should create more confidence in projecting Porter’s continued ascension as a CB2/CB3.”
Round 4, Pick 108: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
In the fourth round, the Raiders get their potential quarterback of the future in Will Howard. This pick just makes too much sense, as Howard flourished under new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at Ohio State in 2024. Now, the duo get reunited in Vegas and the team gets a promising option to put behind Geno Smith.
Howard doesn’t have any elite traits, but he’s a solid passer who won a lot of games at the highest level of college football.
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 starter down the road.”
*TRADE* – Round 5, Pick 149: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
This is the second pick the Raiders got by trading down with the Cowboys, and this time the team adds a promising defensive tackle in Jordan Phillips.
Phillips racked up 29 tackles and one tackle for loss in 2024. The massive defender was credited with six quarterback hits and 10 hurries, showcasing an ability to contribute as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer.
The Raiders get a developmental prospect to pair with Christian Wilkins on the defensive interior.
Scouting report (Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network): “Overall, his physicality, work ethic, and ability to win with leverage suggest he has a chance to stick as a contributing piece on run downs with the drive and commitment to improve as a pass-rusher. Should Phillips find a happy median in his ability to push the pocket in certain situations, he projects as a potential starter along a defensive front.”
Round 6, Pick 180: Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada
In the sixth round, the Raiders go with an interesting, in-state safety prospect.
Kitan Crawford transferred to Nevada for the 2024 season after spending his first four seasons at Texas. Crawford had his best season at his new school, racking up 76 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
In Vegas, the Raiders could deploy Crawford on special teams as a rookie with a chance for the defender to carve out a role in the defense eventually. Crawford has experience at safety and corner, adding to his value.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Fifth-year senior who made his way to Nevada for his final season after four years at Texas. Crawford lacks height and arm length, but he’s compact and very explosive. His testing at the combine showed off his long speed. He needs to play with better timing to make it work for him more consistently, though. Crawford is inconsistent as a run defender but is more than willing to hit. He needs to find a position fit as either a big nickelback or backup safety to pair with a starring role on special teams.”
Round 6, Pick 213: Carson Vinson, OL, Alabama A&M
With the team’s second sixth-rounder, a developmental offensive lineman is the pick. Carson Vinson stood out at Alabama A&M thanks to his NFL-caliber size and solid pass-blocking.
Vinson earned a solid 75.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 830 snaps in 2024. The Raiders don’t have the deepest O-line, so Vinson could come in and immediately challenge for a swing tackle role.
Scouting report (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team): “Vinson projects as a universal talent, thanks in large part to his physical gifts. He is raw enough and athletic enough to project into any kind of scheme, but based on his performance against FBS competition this season, he should be considered a “redshirt” option in 2025 as he acclimates to the pro level.”
Round 7, Pick 222: Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa
With the team’s final pick of the 2025 draft, the Raiders add another developmental defensive back in Iowa’s Jermari Harris.
Harris was productive at Iowa, securing eight interceptions in 42 games. Harris doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s not afraid to be physical and helps out in run defense. As a rookie, Harris would likely make the team due to his special teams contributions.
Scouting report (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com): “Harris is a long-framed cornerback who majored in zone coverages at Iowa. He plays with instinctive eyes and good ball skills when moving forward. However, he falls well below the mark for top-end speed and is not built for extensive man coverage. He’s leggy in his change of direction and needs better technique as a wrap-up tackler. When healthy, he’s been a quality starter, but his age, timed speed and the perception he’s a “zone only” corner could work against him.”
MORE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NEWS
Eagles-Raiders trade pitch adds young $25 million edge defender to Philly’s defense
Raiders predicted to ditch drafting Ashton Jeanty in favor of 5-time award-winner
Raiders trade pitch sends Aidan O’Connell to AFC contender on draft day
