Just let the NFL Draft come to you.
On paper, it sounds so simple, but the draft expression that gets thrown around by so-called experts all the time is far more complicated in real life. With uncertainty swirling, very real team needs staring you in the face, and the pressure can be overwhelming. It’s easy to blink and mess things up.
And yet, for the second year in a row (and with an entirely new front office and coaching staff), the Las Vegas Raiders didn’t flinch. They didn’t blink.
They nailed the pick.
Coming into the night it seemed like a foregone conclusion that stud running back Ashton Jeanty — a near consensus top-3 player in the draft — would be gone before the Raiders were on the clock at pick No. 6. In fact, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. had become the betting favorite to be a Raider seemingly overnight.
But, speaking of complicated unpredictability, the Jacksonville Jaguars — the Raiders’ biggest threat for Jeanty — swung an insane trade for the No. 2 pick and took Travis Hunter instead. With the Cleveland Browns now picking one spot in front of Las Vegas, it was Mason Graham — a defensive tackle from Michigan — who was taken at No. 5, leaving new General Manager John Spytek with what would seem to be the easiest decision he has had to make since taking the job: draft Jeanty.
Yes, a running back at No. 6 seems crazy on paper, but there are three things I’d say to anyone skeptical of this pick:
First, consider the draft class. By all accounts, this is an incredibly weak draft class with anywhere from 4-6 true blue-chippers, and you won’t find anyone arguing Jeanty isn’t one of them. So while the position might not be premium, the talent is.
Second, you have to consider who the running back is. This isn’t just any running back — this is a guy many have said is the best running back to come into the league since Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley, and has been compared to Ladanian Tomlinson and Maurice Jones-Drew.
And finally, in a point that in some ways blends the first two, you have to keep in mind the likelihood of missing on this pick. In a perfect world, an All-Pro offensive tackle is clearly more valuable than an All-Pro running back — but that isn’t the decision the Raiders were tasked with.
The decision in front of Spytek and Head Coach Pete Carroll was between a guy who probably has something like a 75% chance of being an All-Pro running back and a tackle who might have a 25-30% chance of earning similar recognition.
So while the Raiders obviously aren’t a running back away from winning a Super Bowl, they did what every draft analyst says smart teams do: they took the best player available. With eight more picks in this draft, the Raiders will have plenty more swings at finding upgrades elsewhere, but for now, they’ll sleep easy knowing they made both the best and the safest pick possible.
Day 2 Preview
With their running back room now filled, the Raiders turn to the second day of the draft with two picks (37 and 68) and plenty of talent still on the board. Here are some names to keep an eye on with their first pick…
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Many assumed Johnson would be the first corner off the board, but injury concerns were the likely reason he’s still available. There are also questions about his speed (which weren’t helped by his decision not to run a 40), but new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly knows just how impactful Johnson could be.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Very rarely do you see a guy wow people at the combine and have the game tape to match, but Emmanwori is one of those guys. Safety isn’t a highly valued position around the league, but the Raiders could use help there, and this would be a home run pick if he’s still on the board.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Anyone who has been following the draft process knows that it wasn’t a total shock to see Sanders go unselected in Round 1 — but in Round 2, there’s incredible value to be had here. I really do think Sanders can make it in the NFL, and there have been reports that minority owner Tom Brady is a fan.
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
For all the folks disappointed that the Raiders didn’t beef up the offensive line in Round 1, Ersery is the guy who could alleviate your concerns at No. 37. He’s an experienced left tackle who is massive, and who might have been a first-round pick in most draft years.
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Linebacker is a massive need on the Raiders’ defense, and grabbing Schwesinger would be a coup for the Raiders in the second round. He was an All-American in 2024 and is another guy Chip Kelly should know well from his time as the Head Coach at UCLA.
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
If Johnson isn’t the Raiders’ cup of tea, then maybe Amos is, with more than enough size and athleticism to play on the outside at the next level. He bounced around in college, but constantly improved his situation and produced everywhere.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Another position group in desperate need of an infusion of talent is the wide receiver room, and Noel could be the answer to that problem. Primarily a slot guy, he would come in right away and start there for the Raiders, wreaking havoc on defenses who have to choose what to do with him and Brock Bowers inside.
As for Round 3, here are a few more names to keep an eye on
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
There’s a decent chance he doesn’t last this long, but if he does, then Morrison would be another A+ pick. If not for a season-ending injury in October, he might have been a first-round pick, and the Raiders need a ton of help in the secondary.
Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
While Noel is a slot guy, Higgins is the prototypical outside receiver who can stretch the field and make acrobatic catches. Like Noel, he too would be an immediate starter alongside Jakobi Meyers at receiver.
