The Las Vegas Raiders are poised for a significant turnaround in 2025 following a major offseason overhaul.
After struggling through a disappointing 4-13 season in 2024, the team made decisive leadership changes, bringing in Pete Carroll as head coach and John Spytek as general manager to replace Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco, respectively.
With Carroll entering his third NFL head coaching stint in his mid-70s, the Raiders clearly weren't interested in a lengthy rebuild. The new regime made their intentions clear by immediately securing star pass rusher Maxx Crosby with a substantial three-year, $106.5 million extension (including $91.5 million guaranteed). They further emphasized their win-now approach by trading Detroit's third-round pick (92nd overall) to Seattle for veteran quarterback Geno Smith.
Given how poor the Raiders' quarterback play was in 2024 (no offense to new Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew), Smith’s arrival represents a substantial upgrade at the position. The team also made several modest free-agent additions, bringing in guard Alex Cappa, defensive tackle Adam Butler, defensive end Malcolm Koonce, safety Jeremy Chinn, linebacker Elandon Roberts, safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., cornerback Eric Stokes, and running back Raheem Mostert to strengthen their depth.
Las Vegas overhauled its leadership and loaded up in the draft, positioning the Raiders for a much more competitive season in 2025.
Where the Raiders truly shined was in the 2025 NFL Draft. Holding the sixth overall pick, they capitalized on the opportunity to add another cornerstone player to complement Crosby, Smith, tackle Kolton Miller, and tight end Brock Bowers by selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. With exceptional contact balance and big-play ability, Jeanty looks ready to make an immediate impact behind Las Vegas’s surprisingly solid offensive line.
After trading down twice in the second round, the Raiders selected TCU wide receiver Jack Bech. Though not a flashy pick, Bech brings reliable hands and polished footwork that should make him a dependable target for Smith right away.
In the third round, Las Vegas addressed their struggling secondary by taking Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. While somewhat raw, Porter possesses the physical tools of a potential shutdown corner.
The Raiders then bolstered their offensive line with back-to-back selections: Texas Tech’s Caleb Rogers (who will likely play on the interior) and Charles Grant (a swing tackle with starting potential at right tackle).
The team's fourth-round picks brought intriguing depth talent: deep-threat receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. and pass-rush depth with defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway.
Their sixth round yielded defensive tackle J.J. Pegues and a pair of FCS championship starting quarterbacks in North Dakota State's Cam Miller and Montana State's Tommy Mellott. The latter will likely be converting to receiver in the pros. Minnesota off-ball linebacker Cody Lindenberg rounded out their class in the seventh round.
The Raiders have assembled one of the strongest draft classes of 2025. Jeanty gives them a second young offensive star alongside Bowers, while Smith provides stability at quarterback. Bech adds another reliable pass-catcher on the outside, and the offensive line investments should help protect their new signal-caller.
The only downside of their draft was the lack of investment in the secondary, which remains undermanned despite Porter's selection. Their projected starting cornerbacks (Eric Stokes, Jakorian Bennett, and Darnay Holmes) could struggle against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' receiving weapons. They did sign former Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson, but his lack of strength and speed could limit his starting potential.
Las Vegas has positioned itself for significant improvement in 2025. While they may not contend for the AFC West crown given the division's quarterback and coaching strength, but the Raiders should be a much more competitive team than last season's squad.