Raiders 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Active weekend builds up team’s depth

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HENDERSON, Nev. — While coach Pete Carroll likes to take on his players in shooting contests at the basketball hoop at the Las Vegas Raiders’ facility, new general manager John Spytek showed he has some moves, as well, this draft weekend.

After talking up the importance of taking advantage of the depth of certain positions, Spytek threw all that out the window when he took running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 6. His tape was just too good to worry about getting another talented runner instead in the second or third round. Jeanty was just a lot better, and the Raiders loved his personality and work ethic as well.

Spytek then took advantage of other teams being “anxious” for guys still on the board in the second round, and traded down twice. Once from pick No. 37 to 48, and then again down to 58. He picked up two third-round picks — and two offensive linemen — in the process. (Now, we might look back one day at the players the Raiders could have had between 37 and 58 instead like wide receiver Luther Burden III and cornerback Will Johnson and regret it, but who knows?).

Spytek knew his roster had a lot of holes and he wanted more picks.

He also wasn’t afraid to just add speed (cornerback Darien Porter, receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr.), draft a small-school stud like William & Mary offensive tackle Charles Grant or reach in the fourth round for defensive back Tonka Hemingway. He may be too small inside and too big for the edge, but he has the elite athleticism of a former all-state basketball player.

Spytek added 11 players in this draft all told and — like every GM in the NFL — is confident he and Carroll hit on most of them. By taking different stabs at it this weekend and being flexible, it does seem that Spytek improved the Raiders’ chances.

Best value pick

Ashton Jeanty finished as the No. 3 player on both The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler’s final big board and The Athletic’s consensus big board and the Raiders landed him at pick No. 6. Even for a running back, that’s a steal when it comes to draft value. The Raiders believe Jeanty has legitimate star potential.

Most surprising pick

It’s not surprising that the Raiders took a guard, but taking Texas Tech guard Caleb Rogers with pick No. 98 was unexpected. Brugler ranked him No. 153, which is a fifth-round pick, and he didn’t make the consensus big board. Brugler described him as “a versatile backup with spot-starter potential.” To justify taking him where the Raiders did, he needs to develop into a starter.

Biggest question mark

The Raiders went all-in on potential when they drafted Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter with pick No 68. He’s 6-foot-3, has 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed, is a freak athlete and has excellent ball skills, but he’s a converted receiver who played just 694 snaps on defense during his college career. That’s why he was rated just No. 106 on Brugler’s big board and No. 80 on the consensus big board. While he has starter traits, his actually living up to that billing takes a ton of projection. If anyone can figure it out, Carroll can, but it might be a bumpy ride.

Darien Porter has the traits but lacks the experience at cornerback. (Keith Gillett / IconSportswire)

Remaining needs

The Raiders’ biggest needs have to be linebacker and nickelback. Elandon Roberts is a solid starter at middle linebacker, but they’re slated to start Devin White at weakside linebacker. While White was once an All-Pro with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he hasn’t been a dependable starter since 2022. The Raiders would need a young linebacker such as Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Burney or Amari Gainer to take a massive leap to solidify the room. Among the remaining free agents, Kyzir White and Eric Kendricks could be options worth pursuing if the Raiders don’t like what they see in offseason team activities.

At nickelback, the Raiders would be set to start Darnay Holmes. Safeties Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao and Thomas Harper have the ability to line up at nickelback, so the Raiders could get by at the position, but it’s worth seeking a firmer answer. Free agents Mike Hilton and Rasul Douglas are options who could provide that.

Post-draft outlook

The Raiders added the best running back in the draft, and will be paying him like a top 10 guy in the league, so Jeanty will get the ball early and often, Caroll was also excited about the other toys that he and Spytek got for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly so that “he can work his magic.”

Jack Bech is a twitchy receiver with great hands who can ideally beat defenders inside and outside and gives off a Puka Nacua vibe. We’ll find out if that is just draft talk, but he and Jeanty give new Raiders quarterback Geno Smith two more playmakers to go along with Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers and Raheem Mostert. Not to mention the speed of Tre Tucker and Thornton.

Spytek is very proud of his history of finding offensive linemen, and in Rogers and Grant, he adds two more guys to compete up front and ideally give Jeanty more room to work with and Smith more time to throw. Spytek and Carroll have repeatedly said they have faith in the potential starting five of Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Alex Cappa and DJ Glaze.

The defense, like last year, will only go so far as the defensive line leads it and Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce are coming back from injuries to join Maxx Crosby, Adam Butler and Tyree Wilson. It would be nice if linebacker Devin White can resurrect his career as well, as there is no current Plan B.

(Top photo of Pete Carroll and Ashton Jeanty: Heidi Fang / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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