Speculation continues to run wild over what the Las Vegas Raiders will do with the sixth overall pick in the draft.
For a long time, the Raiders were rumored to get aggressive in order to bring in Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Now, the attention has shifted to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. With a little under a month to go before the draft, rumors will continue to swirl until the pick is in.
However, another solution that is rarely discussed is the possibility of the Raiders trading down, which they could do if a team is desperate enough for a top prospect.
The Raiders were linked to a draft trade with an emerging NFC team.
Similar to Jeanty for running back prospects, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is widely considered the top player available at his position.
The Los Angeles Rams have been linked to Warren after a private workout with the team. The problem for them is that Warren is not expected to fall past the Indianapolis Colts at 14, and it is more likely he will be drafted in the top ten. Sitting with the 26th pick, the Rams are way out of that range unless they swing a massive trade up.
This prompted Bret Stuter of Ramblin’ Fan to try and find a compatible deal for the talented tight end, ultimately deciding on the Raiders as an ideal trade partner.
“So, to be in a position to select Tyler Warren in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Rams would need to trade up to the sixth overall pick with the Las Vegas Raiders,” wrote Stuter. “Per the 2025 NFL Draft value chart, to trade up to the sixth overall pick to select Tyler Warren, the Rams would need to package their 2025 NFL Draft Round 1 pick (26th overall), a 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 pick, both of their 2025 NFL Draft Round 3 picks (90th and 101st overall). That package should net the Raiders Round 1 pick (sixth overall) and Round 5 pick (143rd overall).”
While this does mean Jeanty will not become a Raider in 2025, the basic concept of the deal is at least worth considering.
For the price of moving down 20 picks, the Raiders turn their fifth-round pick into two third-round selections. The trade would give the Raiders an astounding six picks in the first three rounds, with five in the top 100 selections. With two first-round picks in 2026 after the deal, the Raiders can take full advantage of an impressive war chest to give the team a much-needed infusion of youth.
If this deal gets passed along to the desk of Raiders general manager John Spytek, he and the rest of the team braintrust will have to weigh immediate value versus long-term benefits.
