Las Vegas Raiders' trade for Geno Smith completely changes their approach in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders finally have their quarterback. It felt as if it would never happen, but new head coach Pete Carroll just went with a guy he knows best to be the starter his first season in Las Vegas trying to turn this thing around. They had one thing left on their checklist that […]
The Las Vegas Raiders finally have their quarterback. It felt as if it would never happen, but new head coach Pete Carroll just went with a guy he knows best to be the starter his first season in Las Vegas trying to turn this thing around.
They had one thing left on their checklist that had to be done no matter what. They got one of the two things done that were required this offseason in the Maxx Crosby extension, now they had to get the other done. And they did.
And, it was a bit tricky to start. The Raiders needed a quarterback for 2025, but nothing seemed to be going their way so far, and this may be the offseason they don't want to target one early in the 2025 NFL Draft because of the draft class being a bit weaker. So, they traded for former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, a former friend of Pete Carroll's.
And this may not be the move you wanted from your favorite team, and certainly not one that you expected, however, it's not a terrible move. Are they banking on something to work out for them that could very well backfire like it did with Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew? Yes. But, Smith is a good bridge quarterback.
If 2025 doesn't work, they now have a top pick in the 2026 draft, where the quarterback class is much better. So, yeah, this trade completely changes how they approach this draft.
Raiders trading for Geno Smith should change 2025 NFL Draft plans
It feels like the Raiders were heading towards drafting either Sheduer Sanders or Jaxson Dart, at least that's how it felt to me. If that was the case, which I firmly believe it was, then their plans just changed. Let's face it, the 2025 NFL Draft class at the QB position isn't very strong. Now next year is very strong. In this class, Cam Ward, the No. 1 QB in the class, would be the No. 3 or No. 4 QB in last year's class.
Now, instead of wasting a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on a quarterback, they can use the picks to add weapons around Geno Smith, or whoever the QB of the future will be if this whole thing doesn't work out. This allows the Raiders to go the best player available approach at No. 6 in the 2025 NFL Draft rather than having to reach for a QB that isn't as good as the No. 6 overall pick.
Now, if Ashton Jeanty is at No. 6, or Abdul Carter, or Tetairoa McMillian, or whoever the best player available is like Brock Bowers was last year, they take that player and build up their roster overall. This allows the front office not to strain so much on making sure they draft a QB early.
Now, if they wanted to, they could take a QB on Day 3, like Tyler Shough or Will Howard, who worked with Chip Kelly last season at Ohio State.
Or, I'm wrong and for some odd reason the Raiders still take a quarterback at No. 6. Allowing them to build a roster around a quarterback will help them close the gap between them and the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos.
Raiders’ 2025 Mock Draft: First post-NFL Combine mock sees Las Vegas make a huge trade
The Raiders can get two huge needs in the first round.
