With most of the free agency work done for the Las Vegas Raiders, besides maybe some small depth signings here and there, it's time to turn our attention back to the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Raiders are in a rebuild situation but don't ask head coach Pete Carroll that, with an offense that needs a complete makeover. However, they are in a peculiar situation in the first round of the draft. They have the No. 6 pick, and that's where things start to get less obvious for the Raiders. For teams ahead of them, it's obvious who they will pick or who the option will be between, depending on what happens ahead of them.
For the Raiders, everyone has them taking either Ashton Jeanty or Tetairoa McMillan at No. 6. There is this wild feeling I have that keeps telling me that just won't happen, even though I do believe it will. But, if it didn't, who would they take? Who would be the next most obvious pick?
That's hard to decide on, considering the needs they have, the best player available strategy, and the fact that this is a new regime we don't really know well. But, I did a mock draft trying to examine who the Raiders would take if they didn't take one of those two players, and, I think it turned out well.
Raiders 2025 Mock Draft: No Jeanty or McMillan at No. 6
Round 1, Pick 6: Jahdae Barron, Texas CB
In this case, Mason Graham was already taken, as were the consensus top four players in the draft. If Graham was available, I think that would be my pick. But, I think the Jacksonville Jaguars will take him, as they should. As for Barron, he is the second-best CB in this league, and he has slot ability. He's physical, has the size, and tape, and played against elite talent. Knowing Carroll, this could very well be a pick they make.
Round 2, Pick 37: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State RB
Since Jeanty wasn't the pick, the Raiders still need to find a way to address the RB position. It feels like Chip Kelly will do whatever he can, use whatever pull get has, to get one of his OSU RBs if possible. Getting Judkins, the third-best RB in this class, maybe fourth behind his teammate, depending on where you rank them, would be great. And, he already knows the system.
Round 3, Pick 68: Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee DT
Defensive tackle will always be a priority for the Raiders, whether it's starter level or depth, as long as Carroll and S[ytek are in charge. Norman-Lott was one of the best pass rushers in the interior last season, he was just on a defensive line that rotated guys out what felt like every single play. He only played 225 snaps last year. His downside is that he's 6'3", which is considered undersized, but then again if you can play ball, you can play ball. Norman-Lott can play ball.
Round 4, Pick 108: Isaiah Bond, Texas WR
The need for a wide receiver is still there -- in this instance, I have Bond falling in the draft. Every year there is a receiver that falls in the draft, and I think it could be Bond. However, he would be a great fit for what the Raiders need on offense. He's not a big-body receiver, which they have in Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers (kind of), and he's not a small speedy receiver like Tre Tucker, but he's at an average size with a good speed, and a guy who makes plays. That's what they need.
Round 5, Pick 143: Luke Kandra, Cincinnati G
I'm conflicted, because I feel like the interior of the offensive line should be one of the top priorities, but I'm not sure that they will take one early. However, a sneaky guy like Kandra could be a good fit. Kandra is a top-five guard in the draft based on some of his tape and measurables. However, most mock drafts and simulators have him going in the fifth round or even later. In this case, the Raiders get what could be a steal to back up when the Alex Cappa experiment goes wrong.
Round 6, Pick 180: Kyle McCord, Syracuse QB
We all know that the Raiders should still draft a QB in this draft, just not maybe high in the draft. But, one of their three sixth-round picks may do. Taking a guy like Kyle McCord, who led the NCAA in passing last year, would be a big-time draft pick. That's around where he will be selected, and he's the youngest of all the guys that will be taken in that same area, so you're not taking a guy like Tyler Shough who is 25 years old. McCord is 22. 4,700 passing yards, 400 more than the next highest, Cam Ward, with 34 touchdowns to go along with it.
Round 6, Pick 213: Ricky White, UNLV WR
Yes, they addressed the receiver already in round four, but getting a guy like Ricky White in round six adds even more depth and a guy who has the potential to be better in the NFL than he was in college. Oh, and White will play special teams, as he led the league in blocked kicks or punts.
Round 6, Pick 215: Miles Frazier, LSU G
I think getting two guards in this draft will be a huge key when it comes to making sure they have cheap guys at the position, whether it's starters or depth. Frazier has some flaws, for sure, but he can be developed into a good guard. He played some meaningful football at LSU against some very good DTs and DEs.
Round 7, Pick 222: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky LB
Yes, the Raiders signed Elandon Roberts from the Pittsburgh Steelers after losing Robert Spillane to the New England Patriots, and they still may sign Christian Elliss if the Patriots don't match the offer sheet -- but they still need some depth, it's just not high on the list. So, why not take one with their last picks? JDJ is a good ball player who could use some development but has the traits to be better than a few of the guys the Raiders have on the roster already.
