Ever since the Las Vegas Raiders traded for Geno Smith, it feels like the majority of analysts have said that Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State RB, will be a Las Vegas Raider in 2025. I am in the same boat.
But, every year, there are shockers, when we think the obvious pick is there, but a team does something completely different. The Raiders could do that in 2025, after all, there are a ton of needs heading into this draft, and the board could fall completely differently than what they anticipated.
I mean, we are already hearing smoke about the Jacksonville Jaguars drafting Ashton Jeanty, despite having two good RBs in Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. This is smoke season, so these things may not happen, but they could, and if they did, the Raiders would then be expected to possibly do something that no one would expect.
And, that's where my list of potential first-round shockers comes in, that I think the Raiders could draft in Round 1.
Potential Raiders' first-round shockers
The Las Vegas Raiders are eying Jeanty, as is every team in the top 10 that needs a running back. And, recently, names like Armand Membou have been thrown out there, and I could believe it if I had seen it. But, there are a few other names that could be drafted, and not many would see coming.
1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
I'm not sure if this one would be a shocker to the entire fan base, but there are some people that think the Raiders could still take their guy. Now, it wouldn't be my first choice, or even second or third, but it's definitely something that could happen. And, if it did happen, I'm willing to bet it could be labeled as a shocking move because the Raiders just gave their quarterback an extension in former Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith.
2. Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Membou is the guy that the Raiders are being linked to the most outside of Jeanty, but there is a good contingency of people out there that truly believe Banks is the best tackle in this draft. And, if Jeanty isn't there, I'm willing to bet the pick is an offensive lineman, as Spytek said that he loves his offensive linemen.
3. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Spytek and Carroll have harped on going with the best player on the board in this draft, and not necessarily drafting for need. And, who's to say that if Jeanty isn't there, that Nolen is the best player on their board? This DT class is loaded, so this could be a reach, but the Raiders organization as a whole may have some regrets bout passing on Jalen Carter, letting the Philadelphia Eagles get him, and taking Tyree Wilson.
