The Las Vegas Raiders have had an exciting offseason as new co-owner Tom Brady has started to remake the Raiders organization. Brady hired friend John Spytek as general manager and future Hall of Famer Pete Carroll to be the head coach. Team sources say Brady is behind the pursuit of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford while some in the organization would like the team to sign young veteran Sam Darnold in free agency. Assuming the Raiders land a veteran starter, that opens them up to take a position player in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In speaking with team sources, two candidates for their first-round pick are Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Many would say the sixth-overall pick is too high to take a running back, but some staff with the Raiders love Jeanty. They feel he is a shorter, faster version of Josh Jacobs. The new staff is disappointed and frustrated that the previous regime allowed Jacobs to leave, and they feel that Jeanty is one of the best players in the 2025 draft, regardless of position.
The Raiders also are fans of McMillan. After trading Davante Adams, Las Vegas could use a big outside receiver to pair with Brock Bowers. Some in the organization are unsure if Brady, Carroll, and Spytek would be willing to take a running back with the sixth-overall pick. Thus, McMillan could be in play as their first-round pick. In my latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, I have Las Vegas getting help at both positions with their first two selections.
