Las Vegas Raiders 7-Round Mock Draft: Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter at first overall plus cornerback gets major overhaul
It's been a season to forget for the Las Vegas Raiders. In the first full season under Antonio Pierce, the team has underachieved immensely, mainly due to the lack of talent at the quarterback position. Aidan O'Connell showed some flashes, but nothing significant enough to warrant building around, Gardner Minshew is just a high-priced backup […]
It's been a season to forget for the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the first full season under Antonio Pierce, the team has underachieved immensely, mainly due to the lack of talent at the quarterback position. Aidan O'Connell showed some flashes, but nothing significant enough to warrant building around, Gardner Minshew is just a high-priced backup and Desmond Ridder might want to look at the UFL.
Right now, the Raiders are projected to pick first overall, which means deciding between a quarterback in Shedeur Sanders and the best player in the draft Heisman Trophy winner cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. What should they do?
1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It's a tough decision to not select Hunter, but the Raiders desperately need a quarterback and the infatuation from both parties is a real thing. Sanders is an accurate passer who thrives within structure. He can also create outside of structure when needed and loves to attack down the field when needed.
33. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Jack Jones is the only cornerback that is starting caliber on this team and they could use some major reinforcements. Revel is coming off of a torn ACL he suffered during practice in September but should be ready to go when training camp begins.
Reven has the size, length and athleticism to be a CB1 in the NFL, something the Raiders could certainly use.
65. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
With how the board sat at the top of the third round, the Raiders doubled down at the cornerback position. Like Revel, Hairston is also long and athletic, but is on the slimmer size, plus he missed the majority of the season with an injury. This would be a great upside pick for the Raiders secondary.
72. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
In a loaded running back class, there are a multitude of backs that the Raiders could choose from. Giddens is going to be one that gets overlooked due to the offense that he played in at Kansas State where he wasn't used much as a receiver.
Giddens brings an element of toughness and the ability to play in any scheme to the running game and has shown the ability to shoulder the load when necessary.
102. J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
This year's NFL Draft is a relatively weak one overall, but there are still intriguing players to pick up. Pegues is one of them. The Rebels thought enough of him to allow him to run the football this season as a defensive lineman with 20 rushes for 62 yards and seven touchdowns.
137. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
This is an interesting one. Why would the Raiders take a tight end after spending top 40 picks in the last two drafts on Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers? Well, Gadsden isn't a traditional tight end, he's more of a power slot. Take him, run 13 personnel and mess with defenses in lighter personnel packages.
172. Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
Depth on the offensive line should always be a priority and the Raiders get a talented player coming off of a torn Achilles tendon. McLaughlin was looking like one of the better centers in the 2025 NFL Draft class and could end up being a value later on.
208. Raheim "Rocket" Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Sanders spent the majority of his college career at Arkansas where he earned the name Rocket with his ability to bust out long runs. He's also tough to tackle with his size. Sanders is only available here because of the sheer depth in this class.
215. Shilo Sanders, S, Colorado
Sanders isn't a great athlete like his dad, but he's a solid enough player. Plus, it would be a nice thing for Shedeur to be able to play with his brother.
260. Joey Hobert, WR, Texas State
Receiver could still be fortified and taking a gamer like Hobert would be a good player to bring in. The son of former NFL quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, Joey was hyperproductive for Bobcats in any role he was asked to do. That will play well at the next level.
