The Las Vegas Raiders have finished up their 2025 NFL Draft with a class that has some really good potential. There are some bad parts, or reaches, I would say, as well. But the overall upside of this roster is very good, with a few win-now pieces.
But, the question is, how many of their draft picks from this last weekend will be on the Raiders' initial 53-man roster just before the season starts? Well, we don't know, and it's way too early to tell, but it's fun to try and guess how it will be.
So, let's see if we can guess it.
Raiders 53-man Projection after 2025 NFL Draft
Quarterback (3) (Asterisk* denotes rookie, ** denotes UDFA)
Starter: Geno Smith
Backup: Aidan O'Connell
3rd String: Cam Miller*
The Raiders drafted two quarterbacks, both from FCS schools, but will make one, Tommy Mellott, convert to a wide receiver. Miller is one of the best Qbs in the country that no one knows about, as the former North Dakota State QB has some very high potential.
Running Back (4)
Starter: Ashton Jeanty*
Backups: Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, Zamir White
The Raiders went and got their guy. The newest running back for the Raiders will be the starter. Ashton Jeanty was maybe the best player in college football last year, and if not the best, he was just behind Jacksonville Jaguars' new rookie Travis Hunter. Mostert, the former Miami Dolphins RB, will be the backup, with McCormick playing third string after having some impressive games to close out the year last season. This is how it will start, and by the end of the year, I think McCormick will have won over the backup job.
Wide Receivers (6)
Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech*
Backups: Dont'e Thornton Jr.*, Kristian Wilkerson, Alex Bachman
There was no doubt that the Raiders would draft a receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft, but drafting three is not really what anyone expected, especially one who was one of the best FCS quarterbacks in the country, and converting him to a wide receiver. Bech and Thorntom will certainly make the roster, and the rest of it will be about veteran presence and reliability. I could also see them signing another veteran guy.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Brock Bowers
Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
This one is pretty standard and doesn't need a whole lot of explaining. It's the same tight end room as last season, just adding Ian Thomas, who seems to be a pretty good run blocker.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: Kolton Miller (LT), Jordan Meredith (LG), Jackson Powers-Johnson (C), Dylan Parham (RG), DJ Glaze (RT)
Backups: Charles Grant*, Caleb Rogers*, Thayer Munford, Alex Cappa
The offensive line needed some help, and they got some help, but nothing crazy enough to where the starting lineup will change to start the season. Now, by the end of the year, we could very well see Charles Grant or Rogers make his way onto the starting lineup. And, yes, this does mean I am predicting Miller to play and start, whether he gets the extension or not.
Defensive Line (9)
Starters: Maxx Crosby (DE), Christian Wilkins (DT), Adam Butler (DT), Malcolm Koonce (DE)
Backups: Tyree Wilson, Tonka Hemingway*, JJ Pegues*, Jonah Laulu, Charles Snowden
Once again, here we are saying this has the potential to be the best defensive line in the league, and if you think it can't touch the Philadelphia Eagles DL, then fine, top-three for sure. I think the Raiders have nine here because they want both of their rookies on the roster, including Tonka, who will be a tweener.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Elandon Roberts (MLB), Tommy Eichenberg (WLB)
Backups: Amari Gainer, Devin White, Amari Burney
A few things here: One, no, the rookie, Cody Lindenberg, will not make the 53-man roster. Two, yes, I think Eichenberg will start over White, simply because White is not a starter, not because I think Eichenberg is. However, Eichenberg is better. White has shown us time and time again, whether it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Eagles, or the Houston Texans -- he can't cover. Eichenberg isn't the best, but he's much better than White.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes (NB)
Backups: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter*, Mello Dotson**
Unless they add someone else to the room before then, I have undrafted free agent Mello Dotson making the 53-man roster over Sam Webb. I also have Decamerion Richardson starting in his second season over a guy like Eric Stokes.
Safety (4)
Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao
Backups: Lonnie Johnson, Harper Thomas
This room is pretty easy to guess -- the questionable one is the last safety spot. Do they give it to Harper, or Trey Taylor, the second-year guy, or Chris Smith, the third-year guy? Harper is better on special teams.
Special Team (3)
Starters: AJ Cole (P), Daniel Carlson (K), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
This one has been the same for the last three or four years.
