Trio of Raiders rookies predicted to crack starting lineup in first year

After blowing out their general manager and head coach this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders made massive changes to their front office, coaching staff and roster ahead of the 2025 season.

While Las Vegas added 13 veterans through trades or in free agency, they also selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL draft and signed 18 more undrafted free agents after the seven-round event concluded.

Not only did the Raiders add some first-year players who could make the team and make an impact in the neat future, but three of them are projected to start for the team as rookies.

Bleacher Report's Matt Holder recently projected starting lineups for all 32 teams across the NFL, and for Las Vegas, he has running back Ashton Jeanty, wide receiver Jack Bech and cornerback Darien Porter snagging jobs to start the year.

Jeanty, 21, spent the last three seasons at Boise State, earning All-Mountain West and All-American honors the last two years.  In 40 collegiate games with the Broncos, he rushed for 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per attempt while hauling in 80 passes for an additional 862 yards and six scores. 

The first-round pick will be taking over for Alexander Mattison, who failed to make up for Josh Jacobs' departure last year. Jeanty also has a capable veteran behind him in Raheem Mostert, who he can lean on for advice or for a breather.

Bech, 22, began his college career at LSU in 2021 before transferring to TCU in 2023 for his final two seasons. He caught 133 passes for 1,869 yards and 13 touchdowns across four seasons and earned All-Big-12 honors in his final year.

Other than Jakobi Meyers, there aren't any proven wide receivers for new quarterback Geno Smith to throw to. Bech will have to beat out Tre Tucker, Collin Johnson and fellow rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott for the job, but that shouldn't be a tough task.

Porter, 24, played collegiately at Iowa State from 2019-24. While he never earned any All-Conference accolades, he appeared in 63 games over six seasons, recording 51 tackles (two for a loss), six passes defensed and three interceptions.

Las Vegas desperately needed help in the secondary this offseason after moving on from Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs. Porter will likely be in a competition with Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson and Darnay Holmes to play opposite free-agent acquisition Eric Stokes on the boundary.