Not long after reports confirmed that the Las Vegas Raiders had signed recently acquired quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year contract extension, NFL insiders such as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out the Raiders technically could move on from Smith as soon as next offseason.
For a mailbag published on Friday, Raiders reporter Vic Tafur of The Athletic touched upon when Las Vegas could target a signal-caller during the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Bringing in a young quarterback to learn behind Smith makes sense (and we think the Raiders might trade Aidan O’Connell on draft weekend),” Tafur wrote. “New minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie quarterbacks sitting and soaking it all in, and there are some interesting options even in what is a down year in the draft for QBs.”
Brady famously said last summer that he felt “it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early.” It’s also worth noting he already has a relationship with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who reportedly should be available when the Raiders are called to spend the sixth overall pick of this year’s draft.
Depending on how things play out on the night of April 24, Miami’s Cam Ward, Sanders, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart,
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Louisville’s Tyler Shough could all be off the board before the draft’s 35th selection is made.
“Sanders doesn’t make a lot of sense at No. 6,” Tafur added, “and a surprising number of quarterbacks could be gone by the time the Raiders pick at 37. Dart is also projected by many to go in the first round. Milroe could, too, because he can help teams with his running while he works on his throwing mechanics.”
Moving up even a handful of spots for Milroe could intrigue the Raiders for several reasons. Tafur suggested Vegas wants to hold onto Smith for at least two campaigns, while numerous analysts have said Milroe should sit behind a veteran “for multiple years” so he can develop as a passer without having to worry about facing live defenses in meaningful games. Meanwhile, Shough could be ready to start immediately for a team such as the Cleveland Browns.
Then again, perhaps the Raiders will be the club to keep an eye on if Sanders gets close to falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21. Vegas reportedly is among the teams Sanders wants to join later this month.
