The Las Vegas Raiders have routinely been connected to running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft after acquiring Geno Smith in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
While the pick makes sense considering the Raiders' need at running back after a season in which the team sported the worst rushing attack in the NFL, it's possible Las Vegas will opt to wait on taking a running back with the class being so deep at the position.
In a recent mock draft from Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors, the Raiders do just that. Instead of taking Jeanty, who is still on the board, the Raiders opt for Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Here's Ulrich's write-up:
"There's a ton of buzz about this being the match for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty," Ulrich wrote. "Raiders GM John Spytek even joked that his son would disown him if he didn't make Jeanty the pick. Las Vegas does need a running back and there aren't many coaches who love to establish the run more than Pete Carroll.
"That said, whenever Carroll's teams have had picks this high, they've gravitated toward premium positions," Ulrich added. "This is also a deep RB class with a plethora of options that should be available on Day 2. That should free the Raiders up to address major needs at other positions, like corner. Johnson has visited the Raiders and is an excellent fit for their scheme."
The Raiders entered the offseason with a clear need at cornerback, and that need has become more dire after the team released Jack Jones. Las Vegas has Jakorian Bennett set to man one boundary spot after his breakout 2024 campaign, but who starts on the other side remains a mystery. Right now, failed former first-round pick Eric Stokes and unproven 2024 fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson are the top candidates.
Johnson is widely considered the best cornerback in this year's class, even after an injury shortened 2024 campaign. The former national champ racked up nine picks and 10 passes defensed over the past three years, as well as six awards, including the CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP in 2024, and first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten in 2023.
Last season, Johnson tallied Pro Football Focus grades of 76.7 in coverage and 73.7 in run defense.He also excelled in zone coverage with a grade of 75.0, showing he can do a little bit of everything and is a good fit in Patrick Graham's defense.
The biggest concern with Johnson comes from his injury history. On top of the turf toe issue he had last season, Johnson was unable to take part in Michigan's Pro Day because of a hamstring injury suffered while he was training. Those two issues may lead to Johnson sliding on draft day, but that remains to be seen.
As tough as it would be to pass up on Jeanty, who could be a generational talent, the value of having a potential lockdown cornerback like Johnson might be too intriguing for Las Vegas to pass up on.
