Attention and interest is rightfully focused on draft season and free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders’ John Spytek and Pete Carroll.
The Silver & Black’s general manager and head coach, respectively, embark on their inaugural season steering the franchise in a new direction that — hopefully — results in sustained success.
As Spytek, Carroll, and the other decision makers in Las Vegas go about constructing a roster to their liking, it’s no wonder Raider Nation is eagerly anticipating what happens in free agency (which begins mid-March) and the 2025 NFL Draft. Those two primo events will help further shape the franchise’s future direction. And will likely have reverberating effects on the players currently on the roster and under contract.
With that in mind, let’s look at the Top 5 Raiders who are 25 years old and under who have the most to prove this coming season and beyond:
5. Jonah Laulu, Defensive Tackle
A waiver claim in late August from the Indianapolis Colts, the seventh-round pick (234th overall) in the 2024 draft didn’t get regular defensive snaps until Week 9, but when the defensive tackle produced and showed promise.
The 6-foot-5 and 292-pounder had standout performances against the Atlanta Falcons (five total tackles, one sack, one stop for loss, one quarterback hit) and against the Los Angeles Chargers (regular season finale, seven total tackles, one stop for loss, one quarterback hit) and finished with 35 total tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, and a trio of pass deflections. The 24-year-old rookie played in all 17 games and started seven as he earned 475 defensive snaps (43 percent of the unit’s total) with 96 special teams snaps (20 percent of he unit’s total).
Picking up the rookie contract as part of the waiver claim, Laulu doesn’t cost much (960,000 cap number in 2025 and under contract until 2027) but will need to continue to showcase improved drive, power, and production as he embarks on Year 2 in the league in Las Vegas.
4. Decamerion Richardson, Cornerback
Throw into the fire as injuries decimated the defensive back room, the fourth-round pick (112th overall) in the 2024 draft got on-the-job training and experience as rookie. And it’ll be interesting to see how Richardson uses the growing pains from Year 1 into a Year 2 springboard.
Overcoming a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old was inactive the first five weeks of the 2024 campaign before jumping into heavy action from Week 11 on. Richardson played in 12 games starting seven and was targeted 46 times, according to Pro Football Reference. He was charted allowing 30 completions (65.2 percent) for 459 yards (312 air yards, 147 yards after catch) and three touchdowns. Quarterbacks throwing his way sported a 119.7 QB rating. Richardson finished with 46 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass deflections.
With prototypical size at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, along with speed (4.34 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine), Richardson has the measurables that Carroll’s defenses long sought. It’ll be up to Richardson and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson, and pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Joe Woods to make as sophomore leap. Richardson can also lean on fellow corner Jakorian Bennett, who had a strong Year 2 after a rough rookie year.
3. Dylan Laube, Running back/returner
Despite ineffectiveness and injuries eroding the running back room down from the muscle to the bone, the sixth-round pick (208th overall) in the 2024 draft fumbled his first regular-season carry in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and didn’t get another opportunity — again.
The 25-year-old played in 10 games and spent the majority of his rookie season on special teams (116 snaps, 42 percent of the unit’s total). He did have six kick returns for 164 yards (a long of 59 yards) to go along with three special teams tackles. Laube, like many other Raiders, is set to get a clean slate and with a focused offseason, can get into the mix at running back and special teams once more.
Las Vegas running back room is unsettled and the team needs juice on the return units, both aspects the 5-foot-10, 208-pound tailback can contribute to as a pass-catching back and return man. Otherwise, he’ll likely go as a late-round pick who is on the cut list.
2. Michael Mayer, Tight End
Expected to form a formidable 1-2 punch with rookie Brock Bowers, Mayer’s second season in the league was truncated due to a personal matter. The talented Notre Dame product missed the initial seven weeks of the 2024 campaign due to that matter and the Raiders were patient with the second-round pick (35th overall) from the 2023 draft.
Playing in the first three games of the 2024 season, Mayer would miss the next few weeks and return to action in Week 11. Finishing with 21 catches for 156 yards (highest output was a seven-catch, 68-yard effort against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14), Las Vegas’ offense under Chip Kelly would get a huge boost with Mayer in full-time action.
A strong blocker with sneaky speed and soft hands, Mayer combining with Bowers allows Las Vegas to explore heavier formations and force defenses to account for two tight ends that can not only catch, but are formidable blockers, too. At just 23 years old, sky is the limit for Mayer but he’s got a lot to prove in Year 3.
1. Dylan Parham, Offensive Guard
When talking about the Raiders offensive line, it’s Parham’s name that comes up often as someone that needs to be replaced (Andre James is the other name). The third-round pick (90th overall) in the 2022 draft, the 6-foot-3 and 285-pounder started all 17 games his first two seasons in the league. This past year, he played in 15 and started 14.
Missing Week 7 and 8 due to injury, Parham lost his starting gig at right guard to Jordan Meredith but did return to 100 percent of the offensive snaps from Week 11 and on. At his weight, he’s one of the lighter offensive linemen in the league and that’s been an advantage and disadvantage for Parham.
The upcoming 2025 campaign will have it’s challenges for Parham as whom ever the new coaching staff identifies as the starting center (whether it’s Jackson Powers-Johnson or James) will shuffle the rest of the group. Meredith, who is an exclusive rights free agent (he either re-signs with Raiders if extended a qualifying offer or retires) can make a strong case to earn a starting gig again. And 2025 is Parham’s contract year. So it’s mountainous motivation for Parham and his NFL future — in Las Vegas or elsewhere.
Honorable Mention:
Tyree Wilson, Trey Taylor, Tommy Eichenberg: Wilson’s development remains of interest as the 24-year-old was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He did have an improved Year 2 and perhaps Carroll’s group gets more out of the Texas Tech product. Taylor, meanwhile, has solid size, speed, and was a productive collegiate takeaway artist. The 24-year-old spent his rookie year playing on special teams but depth at safety may lead to elevated opportunities if Tre’Von Moehrig leaves via free agency. Eichenberg was a special teams mainstay his rookie year and the 24-year-old has the looks of a hammerhead-type linebacker.
