Although the quarterback position is a glaring area of need for the Las Vegas Raiders, the latest NFL draft projection features the franchise taking one of the best wide receivers in college football.
Las Vegas has yet to name a new head coach following one season under Antonio Pearce, who was fired after a 4-13 finish. The Raiders now face the challenge of finding a new regime, including a general manager, with the 2025 NFL Draft looming.
Las Vegas turned to three different quarterbacks in 2024, including Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder. And none put together a commendable body of work, as the Raiders finished 27th in total offense.
According to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, the Raiders are projected to pass up a chance at a quarterback to take Arizona star receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 6 overall pick.
In Edwards' new mock draft, arguably the top two quarterbacks – Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders – are unavailable at the sixth pick, forcing the Raiders to make an important decision.
Las Vegas could turn to lower tier quarterbacks like Texas' Quinn Ewers or Alabama's Jalen Milroe, or take a playmaker like McMillan and bolster the receiver room. That decision, in part, will likely be influenced by owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady.
"Las Vegas will be welcoming a new head coach in the coming weeks," Edwards wrote. "One thing that coach will quickly learn is that there is a shortage of viable outlets in the pass game aside from Brock Bowers. Tetairoa McMillan gives them some height at the position, but does not fix the quarterback issue."
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers, the 13th pick last year, led the Raiders in receiving this season and earned All-Pro honors. The next closest receiver, Jakobi Meyers, has one year remaining on a three-year deal signed in 2023.
McMillan (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) racked up 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He eclipsed those numbers in the previous season, recording 1,402 receiving yards on 90 catches with 10 touchdowns.
The Waimanalo, Hawaii, native earned First-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big 12 honors as a junior. And he leaves as the Wildcats' program leader in career receiving yards (3,423).
The combine and Pro Day remain for McMillan ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, which is slated for April 24-26 from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
