Grading the Las Vegas Raiders' finalized 2025 NFL Draft Class: The good, the bad, the ugly

The Las Vegas Raiders have finished their draft class, and there are some really good picks in it. But, there are also some bad picks, and some picks that we will have to wait and see how they pan out. There's a bit of everything. But now that the draft is over, the Raiders can […]

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Las Vegas Raiders QB Cam Miller NDSU
Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have finished their draft class, and there are some really good picks in it. But, there are also some bad picks, and some picks that we will have to wait and see how they pan out. There's a bit of everything.

But now that the draft is over, the Raiders can start preparing for the next step of the offseason, and then eventually head into training camp with, hopefully, a roster that the new regime feels is better than the one that they had last year.

For now, though, it's time for the first grades and reactions to the selections they made.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI4ZO_eKqsF

Grading Raiders' 2025 Draft Picks

Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

A: There wasn't much else they could have done better, unless they traded back. The positional value for the RB position was much better in the second. But Jeanty is a guy who has All-Pro potential.

Round 2, Pick 26: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

B: The Raiders had plenty of opportunities to get guys with higher ceilings at the position, but instead they got a floor raiser in Bech. And that's not a bad thing. His floor is high, but his ceiling is low. You pretty much can tell what he is going to be. He's a good receiver.

Round 3, Pick 68: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

A+: Many thought that, because of his insane physical attributes and size, Porter would be gone in the second round. The Raiders got him in the third, and he just so happens to be a prototypical Pete Carroll CB. He has star potential.

Round 3, Pick 98: Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech

C: The Raiders could have gone with someone who had more success at the college level. Sure, Rogers has the potential and versatility that you like to see, but we're also talking about a guy who gave up a ton of sacks in his college career, including 15 in 2022. But, you cannot deny that the potential to have a really good player in the interior is there. However, the bust potential is there, too.

Round 3, Pick 99: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

B+: The Raiders are in a difficult spot with the Kolton Miller contract situation. They needed a backup option in case things went south, but also a guy who can be a depth piece this year on either side if Miller is extended and plays. They got that.

Round 4, Pick 108: Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee

A-: Thornton has elite speed that you can't teach, and then you factor in that he's running a 4.30 40-yard dash at 6'5", and this pick is huge for the Raiders. He has comps to D.K. Metcalf, but he desperately needs to develop his route tree. For the first year, he is great at what the Raiders will need — a vertical threat.

Round 4, Pick 135: Tonka Hemingway, DL, South Carolina

B: This is a fine pick, nothing crazy, nothing bad. He can be a very good, versatile football player for the Raiders with some development.

Round 6, Pick 180: J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss

B+: Pegues is a player that not many thought would be available in the sixth round. He has the potential to be a great run stopper and even a good nose tackle. Oh, and he ran the ball as a fullback for Ole Miss.

Round 6, Pick 213: Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State

C: The Raiders needed a quarterback, so why not get the Heisman winner of the FCS? The only thing here is, it feels like, because of his speed and intangibles, the Raiders could look at moving him to another position.

Round 6, Pick 215: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State

C: Unless they plan on Miller being the guy they develop for a few years under Geno Smith, this pick just doesn't make sense to me, especially when Quinn Ewers was on the board.

Round 7, Pick 222: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota

D+: The Raiders needed a linebacker way earlier than their last pick of the draft. So, they got an undersized guy and a run stopper, as if they don't have enough of those on the team from the last few years. They needed a guy who could step up in coverage off the ball. As far as a right now type of thing, Lindenberg doesn't look like that.

Related Articles