As the NFL Draft looms ever closer, the Las Vegas Raiders are beginning to ramp up their search for potential selections.
Wednesday was their busiest day yet on that front, with a massive group of prospects coming to Las Vegas for their top-30 visits. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and three quarterbacks (Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart, Texas’s Quinn Ewers, Ohio State’s Will Howards) were among the group. Joining those four were LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and edge rusher Josaiah Stewart.
Can we determine what the Raiders strategy is from this group?
Jeanty and a quarterback have been some of the more popular picks for the Raiders in recent mock drafts, and these visits give plenty of reasons to believe there is truth behind the rumored interest. Jeanty, in particular, has received confirmed interest from the team after a large Raiders contingent, most notably general manager John Spytek, was present for his Pro Day in March.
“Great organization,” Jeanty said of the Raiders during his media availability. “They got a few pieces. I know they could use a running back. They got that nice pick No. 6 so we’ll see what happens. But it’s been great meeting with them, meeting with their running backs coach. It’s cool that he came all this way to meet with me.”
The quarterbacks have also received interest from the Raiders before. The team came away impressed with Ewers during the Combine in February, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly guided Howard to the national championship. All three are potential Day Two selections for the Raiders, with Dart a possibility to climb up to the first round.
Campbell and Graham are unlikely first-round picks for the Raiders, but they would both add to some of the Raiders’ strength in the trenches. Stewart, however, is a possibility on Day Two to add depth to the edge rushing room. Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce both missed time with injury last season, with Koonce losing his entire 2024, so adding some security behind those two is not a bad idea.
All of these players are possibilities to be part of the next generation of Raiders, and these visits gave them a chance to stand out.
