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Teams and their fans are still in the phase of admiring the newest players joining the team from the college ranks. The Raiders welcomed 11 new prospects from this year's draft. So, let's look back at how the whole thing went down and just who will be trading in their college jerseys for Silver & Black.
So, let's recap!
Coming into the draft, there were reports that a team in the top ten of the draft was in love with Colorado's Travis Hunter and was eager to trade up for him. That team turned out to the the Jacksonville Jaguars a fifth overall. They traded up with the Browns at pick number two to get Hunter. More on this later...
So, about that Jaguars trade up... It was widely assume that had the Jaguars been unable to trade up, Hunter would have went to the Browns and the Jags would then have taken Jeanty at five. But after the trade, the Browns opted for Michigan DT Mason Graham, leaving Jeanty there for the Raiders to take at six.
In Jeanty the Raiders got the consensus third overall prospect in this draft. Running back was the Raiders' biggest need, so the fit was natural. And while they got some flak for drafting a running back this high, considering the devaluation of the position, there were few other players in this draft that were more of a need and value combination than Jeanty.
Coverage:
WATCH: 64 minutes of Ashton Jeanty running the ball
Ashton Jeanty NFL Draft scouting report
Ashton Jeanty instantly became NFL 2nd highest paid RB
Marshawn Lynch was blowing up Pete Carroll's phone following Jeanty pick
Ashton Jeanty recalls moment he knew Raiders were going to draft him
Raiders brass attended Ashton Jeanty's pro day
The Raiders were on the clock at 37. But Raiders GM John Spytek saw the value in this draft in the third round. So, when they were on the clock, they received a couple calls, and took the offer they got from Miami.
Dolphins receive: pick 37, pick 143 (round 5)
Raiders receive: pick 48, pick 98 (round 3), pick 135 (round 4)
When pick 48 came up, the Raiders got more calls, so they opted to trade down again. This time to the tail end of round two.
Texans receive: pick 48
Raiders receiver: pick 58, pick 99 (round 3)
And finally, at pick 58 the Raiders stayed and made the pick
The next biggest need for the Raiders was wide receiver. And in Bech they get one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, right around where he was expected to go.
Bech was on my list of the top five best WR fits for Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft. He's got a lethal combination of great hands and strength after the catch to fight through tackles.
Coverage:
Senior Bowl risers and fallers
He is a former wide receiver, one of the biggest corners in this draft, and easily the most athletic. Including running a scorching 4.30 40. He comes to the Raiders as a perfect fit for Pete Carroll's defense, drawing comparisons to Legion of Boom great Richard. Sherman.
As the end of the third came around, the Raiders had back-to-back picks to look forward to thanks to the two trades they made in the second round. There were reports in the days leading up to the draft that the Raiders top choice was Jeanty, but had he not been there, they would have shifted focus to offensive tackle.
GM John Spytek likes drafting offensive linemen. And the Raiders could use the help. So, with the two additional picks, they doubled up on the line.
Rogers was a four-year starting tackle at Texas Tech. But he was viewed as a guard at the next level. A lot of teams were looking closely at him as a great tackle-to-guard conversion in the mid-rounds. And so, with the first of their two low third rounders, the Raiders added some talent to the interior offensive line to hopefully open up some holes for Ashton Jeanty to run through.
Coverage:
Caleb Rogers hung up on Pete Carroll during draft call
And in two picks, the Raiders addressed both of the need positions on the offensive line. They got their center in last year's draft (Jackson Powers-Johnson) along with tackle DJ Glaze. Now they get some competition at right tackle, with the loser taking the swing tackle job.
The 49ers had the next pick and word is they were looking to draft one of either Rogers or Grant only to watch as their old NFC West rival Pete Carroll and their old Bay Area rival Raiders stole both of them. The Niners instead moved away from the line, taking CB Upton Stout.
Coverage:
Pete Carroll details specific roles for Raiders Day 2 picks
Updated Raiders depth chart after first two days of NFL Draft
The Raiders came into the day having addressed each of their top five needs with their five picks on days two and three. That's a good feeling. So, they could start to build depth with their day three picks.
After doubling up on the OL to end day two, they got another wideout to begin day three. And like the OL picks, Thornton is a very different type of receiver to round two pick Jack Bech.
Bech is a versatile receiver, but he thrives as a big slot. Thornton is an X receiver. He is a deep threat. Also unlike Bech, Thornton is a raw physical talent. He's a towering 6-5 receiver who ran a blazing 4.3 40. He had just 26 catches last season at Tennessee, but averaged over 25 yards per catch. That's the kind of raw ability you take a chance on day three.
The final piece to the trades the Raiders made in the second round was a move up from pick 143 in the fifth round to pick 135 in the fourth round. For Spytek, it was time to address the other side of the line.
Hemingway is a tweener type of lineman. He played across the line at South Carolina. He was a day three pick mainly because he does several things well, but isn't ideal for any of them. He comes in at 284 pounds and has issues against the run. Which would limit his ability to play early downs. He can play defensive end, but he is a bit big for that role. So, the Raiders will need to find a role for him to make use of his interior pass rush abilities while not exposing his deficiencies against the run.
The trade left the Raiders without a pick in round five. So, they had to wait until their original pick atop of round six.
This former tight end converted to the defense, making him a work in progress. He is athletic enough that Lane Kiffin would use him as a wildcat quarterback and fullback. And he scored seven touchdowns in that role. But most likely the Raiders would prefer to have him carve out a primary role on the defensive line. He is certainly athletic enough.
With the first of two round six compensatory picks, the Raiders grabbed a sleeper pick. Tommy Mellott led Montana State to the FCS National Champion ship game last season, but he wasn't considered a draftable quarterback. Thing is though, he is a supreme athlete with 4.39 speed and all the character traits the Raiders new regime values. Vegas as well as several other teams had Mellott on their radar for a move to receiver and return specialist. Just the type of player you take a chance on late in the draft.
Hey, so about that FCS National Championship, the other quarterback in that game was this guy. And he was the winning QB. And in this case, the Raiders do like him as a quarterback prospect. The Raiders acquired Geno Smith in trade with the Seahawks to be their starter, which meant they weren't desperate to find a QB in this draft. But adding a QB in the draft was still a priority. Reports say they had interest in Alabama's Jalen Milroe. But as it happened, it was the pick the Raiders sent to Seattle for Geno Smith that was used to take Milroe six picks ahead of the Raiders late in the third round. So, if that's where the Raiders would have taken Milroe that option was out. They then passed on Will Howard four times because their sights were set on Miller.
At this point in the draft, the only need position the Raiders had yet to address was linebacker. And they used their final pick to get LIndberg. Another longtime starter -- which seemed to be a theme with many of the Raiders selections -- he will compete for snaps at both linebacker spots, but most likely be a special teams guy in the short term.
Following their final pick at 222, the Raiders immediately began working on signing undrafted free agents. You can see all the Raiders undrafted free agents here.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 2025 NFL Draft recap
Continue reading...
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So, let's recap!
Day 1
Coming into the draft, there were reports that a team in the top ten of the draft was in love with Colorado's Travis Hunter and was eager to trade up for him. That team turned out to the the Jacksonville Jaguars a fifth overall. They traded up with the Browns at pick number two to get Hunter. More on this later...
Round 1, pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
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So, about that Jaguars trade up... It was widely assume that had the Jaguars been unable to trade up, Hunter would have went to the Browns and the Jags would then have taken Jeanty at five. But after the trade, the Browns opted for Michigan DT Mason Graham, leaving Jeanty there for the Raiders to take at six.
In Jeanty the Raiders got the consensus third overall prospect in this draft. Running back was the Raiders' biggest need, so the fit was natural. And while they got some flak for drafting a running back this high, considering the devaluation of the position, there were few other players in this draft that were more of a need and value combination than Jeanty.
Coverage:
WATCH: 64 minutes of Ashton Jeanty running the ball
Ashton Jeanty NFL Draft scouting report
Ashton Jeanty instantly became NFL 2nd highest paid RB
Marshawn Lynch was blowing up Pete Carroll's phone following Jeanty pick
Ashton Jeanty recalls moment he knew Raiders were going to draft him
Raiders brass attended Ashton Jeanty's pro day
Day 2
The Raiders were on the clock at 37. But Raiders GM John Spytek saw the value in this draft in the third round. So, when they were on the clock, they received a couple calls, and took the offer they got from Miami.
Dolphins receive: pick 37, pick 143 (round 5)
Raiders receive: pick 48, pick 98 (round 3), pick 135 (round 4)
When pick 48 came up, the Raiders got more calls, so they opted to trade down again. This time to the tail end of round two.
Texans receive: pick 48
Raiders receiver: pick 58, pick 99 (round 3)
And finally, at pick 58 the Raiders stayed and made the pick
Round 2, pick 58: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
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The next biggest need for the Raiders was wide receiver. And in Bech they get one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, right around where he was expected to go.
Bech was on my list of the top five best WR fits for Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft. He's got a lethal combination of great hands and strength after the catch to fight through tackles.
Coverage:
Senior Bowl risers and fallers
Round 3, pick 68: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
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He is a former wide receiver, one of the biggest corners in this draft, and easily the most athletic. Including running a scorching 4.30 40. He comes to the Raiders as a perfect fit for Pete Carroll's defense, drawing comparisons to Legion of Boom great Richard. Sherman.
As the end of the third came around, the Raiders had back-to-back picks to look forward to thanks to the two trades they made in the second round. There were reports in the days leading up to the draft that the Raiders top choice was Jeanty, but had he not been there, they would have shifted focus to offensive tackle.
GM John Spytek likes drafting offensive linemen. And the Raiders could use the help. So, with the two additional picks, they doubled up on the line.
Round 3, pick 98: Caleb Rogers, OG, Texas Tech
You must be registered for see images attach
Rogers was a four-year starting tackle at Texas Tech. But he was viewed as a guard at the next level. A lot of teams were looking closely at him as a great tackle-to-guard conversion in the mid-rounds. And so, with the first of their two low third rounders, the Raiders added some talent to the interior offensive line to hopefully open up some holes for Ashton Jeanty to run through.
Coverage:
Caleb Rogers hung up on Pete Carroll during draft call
Round 3, pick 99: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
You must be registered for see images attach
And in two picks, the Raiders addressed both of the need positions on the offensive line. They got their center in last year's draft (Jackson Powers-Johnson) along with tackle DJ Glaze. Now they get some competition at right tackle, with the loser taking the swing tackle job.
The 49ers had the next pick and word is they were looking to draft one of either Rogers or Grant only to watch as their old NFC West rival Pete Carroll and their old Bay Area rival Raiders stole both of them. The Niners instead moved away from the line, taking CB Upton Stout.
Coverage:
Pete Carroll details specific roles for Raiders Day 2 picks
Updated Raiders depth chart after first two days of NFL Draft
Day 3
The Raiders came into the day having addressed each of their top five needs with their five picks on days two and three. That's a good feeling. So, they could start to build depth with their day three picks.
Round 4, pick 108: Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
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After doubling up on the OL to end day two, they got another wideout to begin day three. And like the OL picks, Thornton is a very different type of receiver to round two pick Jack Bech.
Bech is a versatile receiver, but he thrives as a big slot. Thornton is an X receiver. He is a deep threat. Also unlike Bech, Thornton is a raw physical talent. He's a towering 6-5 receiver who ran a blazing 4.3 40. He had just 26 catches last season at Tennessee, but averaged over 25 yards per catch. That's the kind of raw ability you take a chance on day three.
The final piece to the trades the Raiders made in the second round was a move up from pick 143 in the fifth round to pick 135 in the fourth round. For Spytek, it was time to address the other side of the line.
Round 4, pick 135: Tonka Hemingway, DL, South Carolina
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Hemingway is a tweener type of lineman. He played across the line at South Carolina. He was a day three pick mainly because he does several things well, but isn't ideal for any of them. He comes in at 284 pounds and has issues against the run. Which would limit his ability to play early downs. He can play defensive end, but he is a bit big for that role. So, the Raiders will need to find a role for him to make use of his interior pass rush abilities while not exposing his deficiencies against the run.
The trade left the Raiders without a pick in round five. So, they had to wait until their original pick atop of round six.
Round 6, pick 180: JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi
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This former tight end converted to the defense, making him a work in progress. He is athletic enough that Lane Kiffin would use him as a wildcat quarterback and fullback. And he scored seven touchdowns in that role. But most likely the Raiders would prefer to have him carve out a primary role on the defensive line. He is certainly athletic enough.
Round 6, pick 213: Tommy Mellott, WR/RS, Montana State
You must be registered for see images attach
With the first of two round six compensatory picks, the Raiders grabbed a sleeper pick. Tommy Mellott led Montana State to the FCS National Champion ship game last season, but he wasn't considered a draftable quarterback. Thing is though, he is a supreme athlete with 4.39 speed and all the character traits the Raiders new regime values. Vegas as well as several other teams had Mellott on their radar for a move to receiver and return specialist. Just the type of player you take a chance on late in the draft.
Round 6, pick 215: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State
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Hey, so about that FCS National Championship, the other quarterback in that game was this guy. And he was the winning QB. And in this case, the Raiders do like him as a quarterback prospect. The Raiders acquired Geno Smith in trade with the Seahawks to be their starter, which meant they weren't desperate to find a QB in this draft. But adding a QB in the draft was still a priority. Reports say they had interest in Alabama's Jalen Milroe. But as it happened, it was the pick the Raiders sent to Seattle for Geno Smith that was used to take Milroe six picks ahead of the Raiders late in the third round. So, if that's where the Raiders would have taken Milroe that option was out. They then passed on Will Howard four times because their sights were set on Miller.
Round 7, pick 222: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
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At this point in the draft, the only need position the Raiders had yet to address was linebacker. And they used their final pick to get LIndberg. Another longtime starter -- which seemed to be a theme with many of the Raiders selections -- he will compete for snaps at both linebacker spots, but most likely be a special teams guy in the short term.
Following their final pick at 222, the Raiders immediately began working on signing undrafted free agents. You can see all the Raiders undrafted free agents here.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 2025 NFL Draft recap
Continue reading...
