Las Vegas Raiders 2025 Mock Draft: Plans may have changed after releasing cornerback Jack Jones
The Las Vegas Raiders and what we believe their draft plans are constantly changing. For them, we have believed it has been Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty since trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.Whether that is right or not is something we don't actually know. However, we do know that one of their […]
The Las Vegas Raiders and what we believe their draft plans are constantly changing. For them, we have believed it has been Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty since trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
Whether that is right or not is something we don't actually know. However, we do know that one of their recent moves now opens up more avenues for them to have during the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, it makes more sense for them to take a cornerback in Round 1, where before, it didn't.
The Raiders may change their draft plans now. They may see the positional value you can get in Round 2 with the running back, or even in Round 3, and may go with a defensive back now in Round 1. Who knows what they will do, but it's clear that we could see them take two cornerbacks now, rather than one.
Here is what I think the Raiders should do:
Raiders 2025 Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 6: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
After releasing cornerback Jack Jones, it is very clear that the Raiders' need for the cornerback position is now even bigger. So, why not draft a guy who could be a star at the position? The Raiders need one, as they've gone too long without having a guy like that in the secondary.
Barron is projected as a nickel in the league, though. He may be able to play outside corner in the league, but in college in Texas, he played slot the second most. It's just that his game translates to the league better as a slot. Either way, the Raiders have a need at both slot and outside corner. So, why not get a guy who is versatile, and where his game translates best, put him there.
Round 2, Pick 37: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
There is a chance that Conerly is not available in Round 2, as the Kansas City Chiefs, desperate for an offensive tackle, could easily take one of the guys in this draft with the highest upside at his position. Or, a guy like Kelvin Banks could fall to KC. Either way, the Raiders should certainly take him if he falls to pick No. 37.
Last year, the Raiders had the worst run game in the league, paired with an offensive line that allowed the QB to be hit the seventh most times in the league. Their two tackles were top-10 in the league in Blown Blocks, per Sports Info Solutions. Conerly can really do it all.
Round 3, Pick 68: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
The Las Vegas Raiders, as we have already mentioned, had the worst run game in the entire league last year. I'm going to say something that I think may shock people: I think the Raiders like what they have in the RB room more than what people may think. They like what they have in the young depth guys, now they need to add a starter.
Giddens would be the perfect option if Jeanty or the two Ohio State RBs aren't the pick. Giddens is a three down back with some of the best hands at the position. And, he has the numbers to back it all up. Giddens rushed for over 1,200 rushing yards each of the last two years, with 2024 showing a 6.5 yards per carry number. He would be great under Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly.
Round 4, Pick 108: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Maybe the most underrated receiver in this entire draft, Williams has some of the best route running in this entire draft, if not the best. If you need to see a close-up of it, look no further than his Reese's Senior Bowl tape. He was cooking in 1-on-1s, especially in the red zone. Now, he's not big, but he's not Tre Tucker small either. He plays the position and role that the Raiders need next to Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers.
Round 5, Pick 143: Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati
The Raiders' interior offensive line right now is pretty much what it was last year, but add in Alex Cappa, who was statistically the worst offensive lineman in the league last year, and a big reason the Cincinnati Bengals were so bad. So I have to believe that a guard will be added by at least early Day 3. If so, they can get some quality guys at the position, like Kandra, who is a decent run blocker and pass blocker, with plenty of tools to develop into a great player.
Round 6, Pick 213: Johnny Walker, EDGE, Missouri
The Raiders do need an edge rusher, as they are stuck with Tyree Wilson, who has not lived up to any expectations, and Malcolm Koonce, who just tore his ACL and is on a one-year deal. So, I decided it would be good to take Walker, who has a lot to develop, but still ended up with 10 sacks in the SEC last year.
Round 6, Pick 215: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
The Raiders need a guy at this position who is still really raw, but has potential. If you're drafting a guy in the sixth round who has the ceiling of a sixth rounder, then it's not as good if you're drafting a current sixth rounder with the ceiling of a third rounder. And Robinson is that, as all of his testing was great.
Round 7, Pick 222: Fentrell Cyprus II, CB, Florida State
The Raiders need to draft another corner even after taking Barron. They need a guy who can play outside, and a guy who has potential to grow. You have that in a deep CB class late in the draft. Cypress had an elite 2022 season, but the last two seasons haven't been as good. The potential is there.
Las Vegas Raiders 2025 Mock Draft: Trading back in the first round to get the most value from the entire class
The Raiders would ace the draft if they did that.
