- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 460,942
- Reaction score
- 44
The 2025 NFL draft is getting oh so close and it's going to be a massive one for the Las Vegas Raiders. It's the first NFL draft for the Raiders with new general manager John Spytek pulling the strings and it represents a tremendous opportunity to rebuild the roster for first-year Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll.
Las Vegas possesses nine selections, including the No. 6 overall pick in the draft's first round. As the draft nears, final projections are rolling in.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter just released his full seven-round mock draft. Raiders Wire's AJ Cola and Josh Helmer take a look at each pick Reuter has the Raiders making.
Cola: This pick would likely catch many Raiders fans off guard, especially with Sanders’ stock reportedly falling as the draft approaches. The way the board fell, they could have had their choice of any offensive lineman or wide receiver in the draft. If Las Vegas is planning on competing as soon as possible, and all signs indicate they are, it would make more sense to draft a player who can help the team right away. That being said, Sanders would certainly benefit from spending time on the bench behind a veteran quarterback like Geno Smith, to whom Sanders is commonly compared.
Helmer: This would certainly qualify as a splash right out of the gate for the Raiders. Maybe the franchise does pull a shocker and finds its long-term answer at quarterback and lets Sanders sit and learn behind Geno Smith.
Cola: This pick would fill a need on the offensive line, and Savaiinea has experience at both tackle and guard. He’s currently ranked at number 60 on the consensus big board, making this a bit of a reach, but he’s a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s zone heavy offense. Other players that could make sense based on how the board fell include CB Trey Amos, WR Jayden Higgins, or either Ohio State running back.
Helmer: Las Vegas finds some early help up front for the interior of its offensive line in Jonah Savaiinaea. The 6-foot-4, 324 pound guard started five games at left tackle and six games at right tackle for Arizona in 2024 and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 status.
Savaiinaea started 15 games at right guard over the course of his Wildcats career and that's where he projects moving forward.
Cola: This would be an A+ pick from John Spytek and company. It fills one of the Raiders biggest needs, and is much later than Morrison is expected to go. He’s ranked at number 45 on the consensus big board, and was considered a top ten pick coming into this season. Some injury concerns have dropped him down boards, but he’s a talented and physical player who excels in press coverage. Don’t be surprised if he’s in play at pick 37.
Helmer: The Raiders get some much-needed secondary help in the third round in the form of Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison. A 6-foot, 193 pound corner, Morrison had nine interceptions over his first two seasons in 2022 and 2023 before his 2024 campaign was cut short with a hip injury.
Cola: Arian Smith has a very similar profile to the Raiders 2023 third round pick Tre Tucker, and he might not be an upgrade. Taking a speedy wide receiver with this pick makes a world of sense, but Smith would be a massive reach. He’s ranked 305th on the consensus big board, meaning he’s not projected to be drafted at all. Personally, I couldn’t sprint the card in fast enough if Washington State receiver Kyle Williams is available like he is here. He doesn’t have quite the same speed as Smith, but he’s significantly more developed as a route runner and could start right away.
Helmer: Arian Smith joins a group of pass-catchers led by tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The 6-foot, 179 pound receiver led Georgia with 817 receiving yards on 48 grabs. Smith had 10 touchdown receptions during his college career.
Cola: This would also be a bit of a reach based off consensus rankings, but some analysts have James graded as a day two prospect. At this point in the draft, it’s really about what style of player you prefer. James has been extremely efficient during his college career and would make a worthwhile addition to the Raiders backfield.
Helmer: Though many have projected the Raiders to draft Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round, Las Vegas waits until the fifth in Reuter's NFL draft forecast.
The Raiders acquire a 5-foot-9, 205 pound running back out of Oregon by the name of Jordan James. The former Duck ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine after racking up a team-leading 1,267 rushing yards last season at Oregon. James tallied 15 rushing touchdowns on 233 carries in 2024 en route to second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Cola: Broughton is considered a fringe top-100 player by most draft analysts, so this would be quite the steal. He could be a big help to a defense that really struggled to stop the run last year. The scheme fit is a little questionable, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the most talented player on the board and figuring the rest out later.
Helmer: A 6-foot-5, 311 pound defensive tackle, Vernon Broughton accumulated 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles last season with the Texas Longhorns in 16 games and 15 starts. Broughton also totaled 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack during the 2023 season when he played behind 2024 NFL draft picks Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat.
Cola: Double dipping on wide receiver is a great idea considering the lack of depth. Mumpfield is the complete opposite of Arian Smith. Mumpfield’s speed could easily prevent him from contributing at all, but he's a highly skilled receiver. I’ve previously pointed Mumpfield out as a player to watch for on day 3 of the draft.
Helmer: Las Vegas selects another skill player with its first compensatory selection of the sixth round in former Pittsburgh wide receiver Konata Mumpfield.
A 5-foot-11, 186 pound receiver, Mumpfield led Pitt with 813 receiving yards on 52 receptions. Mumpfield caught five touchdown passes in 2024.
Cola: Hyppolite is a developmental prospect with elite speed for a linebacker. This late in the draft, it makes sense to take a shot on high end athletes and hope your coaches can get the most out of them.
Helmer: Another area of need for Las Vegas, the Raiders get a linebacker with their final selection in the sixth round. Ruben Hyppolite II finished his Maryland career with 218 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
Cola: Joyner has a non-stop motor and could compete for rotational pass rush snaps.
Helmer: With its final pick of the 2025 NFL draft, Reuter projects the Raiders to select Minnesota edge rusher Jah Joyner. Joyner registered 12 sacks over his final two collegiate seasons at Minnesota, including 7.5 during the 2023 campaign. The 6-foot-4, 262 pound edge rusher was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice in both 2023 and 2024.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Chad Reuter 7 round NFL mock draft breaking down raiders pick
Continue reading...
Las Vegas possesses nine selections, including the No. 6 overall pick in the draft's first round. As the draft nears, final projections are rolling in.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter just released his full seven-round mock draft. Raiders Wire's AJ Cola and Josh Helmer take a look at each pick Reuter has the Raiders making.
6. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Cola: This pick would likely catch many Raiders fans off guard, especially with Sanders’ stock reportedly falling as the draft approaches. The way the board fell, they could have had their choice of any offensive lineman or wide receiver in the draft. If Las Vegas is planning on competing as soon as possible, and all signs indicate they are, it would make more sense to draft a player who can help the team right away. That being said, Sanders would certainly benefit from spending time on the bench behind a veteran quarterback like Geno Smith, to whom Sanders is commonly compared.
Helmer: This would certainly qualify as a splash right out of the gate for the Raiders. Maybe the franchise does pull a shocker and finds its long-term answer at quarterback and lets Sanders sit and learn behind Geno Smith.
37. Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Cola: This pick would fill a need on the offensive line, and Savaiinea has experience at both tackle and guard. He’s currently ranked at number 60 on the consensus big board, making this a bit of a reach, but he’s a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s zone heavy offense. Other players that could make sense based on how the board fell include CB Trey Amos, WR Jayden Higgins, or either Ohio State running back.
Helmer: Las Vegas finds some early help up front for the interior of its offensive line in Jonah Savaiinaea. The 6-foot-4, 324 pound guard started five games at left tackle and six games at right tackle for Arizona in 2024 and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 status.
Savaiinaea started 15 games at right guard over the course of his Wildcats career and that's where he projects moving forward.
68. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Cola: This would be an A+ pick from John Spytek and company. It fills one of the Raiders biggest needs, and is much later than Morrison is expected to go. He’s ranked at number 45 on the consensus big board, and was considered a top ten pick coming into this season. Some injury concerns have dropped him down boards, but he’s a talented and physical player who excels in press coverage. Don’t be surprised if he’s in play at pick 37.
Helmer: The Raiders get some much-needed secondary help in the third round in the form of Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison. A 6-foot, 193 pound corner, Morrison had nine interceptions over his first two seasons in 2022 and 2023 before his 2024 campaign was cut short with a hip injury.
108. Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
Cola: Arian Smith has a very similar profile to the Raiders 2023 third round pick Tre Tucker, and he might not be an upgrade. Taking a speedy wide receiver with this pick makes a world of sense, but Smith would be a massive reach. He’s ranked 305th on the consensus big board, meaning he’s not projected to be drafted at all. Personally, I couldn’t sprint the card in fast enough if Washington State receiver Kyle Williams is available like he is here. He doesn’t have quite the same speed as Smith, but he’s significantly more developed as a route runner and could start right away.
Helmer: Arian Smith joins a group of pass-catchers led by tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The 6-foot, 179 pound receiver led Georgia with 817 receiving yards on 48 grabs. Smith had 10 touchdown receptions during his college career.
143. Jordan James, RB, Oregon
Cola: This would also be a bit of a reach based off consensus rankings, but some analysts have James graded as a day two prospect. At this point in the draft, it’s really about what style of player you prefer. James has been extremely efficient during his college career and would make a worthwhile addition to the Raiders backfield.
Helmer: Though many have projected the Raiders to draft Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round, Las Vegas waits until the fifth in Reuter's NFL draft forecast.
The Raiders acquire a 5-foot-9, 205 pound running back out of Oregon by the name of Jordan James. The former Duck ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine after racking up a team-leading 1,267 rushing yards last season at Oregon. James tallied 15 rushing touchdowns on 233 carries in 2024 en route to second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
180. Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
Cola: Broughton is considered a fringe top-100 player by most draft analysts, so this would be quite the steal. He could be a big help to a defense that really struggled to stop the run last year. The scheme fit is a little questionable, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the most talented player on the board and figuring the rest out later.
Helmer: A 6-foot-5, 311 pound defensive tackle, Vernon Broughton accumulated 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles last season with the Texas Longhorns in 16 games and 15 starts. Broughton also totaled 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack during the 2023 season when he played behind 2024 NFL draft picks Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat.
213. Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh
Cola: Double dipping on wide receiver is a great idea considering the lack of depth. Mumpfield is the complete opposite of Arian Smith. Mumpfield’s speed could easily prevent him from contributing at all, but he's a highly skilled receiver. I’ve previously pointed Mumpfield out as a player to watch for on day 3 of the draft.
Helmer: Las Vegas selects another skill player with its first compensatory selection of the sixth round in former Pittsburgh wide receiver Konata Mumpfield.
A 5-foot-11, 186 pound receiver, Mumpfield led Pitt with 813 receiving yards on 52 receptions. Mumpfield caught five touchdown passes in 2024.
215. Ruben Hyppolite II, LB, Maryland
Cola: Hyppolite is a developmental prospect with elite speed for a linebacker. This late in the draft, it makes sense to take a shot on high end athletes and hope your coaches can get the most out of them.
Helmer: Another area of need for Las Vegas, the Raiders get a linebacker with their final selection in the sixth round. Ruben Hyppolite II finished his Maryland career with 218 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
217. Jah Joyner, DE, Minnesota
Cola: Joyner has a non-stop motor and could compete for rotational pass rush snaps.
Helmer: With its final pick of the 2025 NFL draft, Reuter projects the Raiders to select Minnesota edge rusher Jah Joyner. Joyner registered 12 sacks over his final two collegiate seasons at Minnesota, including 7.5 during the 2023 campaign. The 6-foot-4, 262 pound edge rusher was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice in both 2023 and 2024.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Chad Reuter 7 round NFL mock draft breaking down raiders pick
Continue reading...
