The start of 2025 hasn’t been too kind to the Las Vegas Raiders. However, this is, in a way, their own fault. They made the offseason decisions they made — no one else. And so, as we sit here after a win over the Tennessee Titans, it’s still obvious that this is not a good football team one-third through the 2025 season.

Regardless, it’s time to grade the Raiders now that we’re done with the season’s first trimester. Let’s stop wasting time and dive in.

Offensive superlatives

MVP: Do I have to pick one?

There really isn’t an MVP on the offensive side of the ball so far. Ashton Jeanty hasn’t been what we thought he would, even as a rookie, but it’s not his fault. Geno Smith has been bad, and the passing offense hasn’t been good enough to name any of the wide receivers as one, either.

The offensive line is the worst part of the offense, aside from Smith, and Brock Bowers hasn’t played much at all. There isn’t an MVP on a 2-4 team that got by on wins off the backs of the defense.

Glue guy: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson

He didn’t get to start the season at center, his true position, but he’s still been good at guard, with certainly some things to work on. However, when he is playing, the offensive line is significantly better in the run game.

To me, he’s the easy answer as the glue guy on an offense that has nothing else to write home about.

Biggest surprise: WR Tre Tucker

Tucker may be the best wide receiver on the team, and if he’s not, he’s definitely playing like it. He already has four touchdowns through six weeks and had one game with three touchdowns.

Tucker looks to have improved every aspect of his game and knows this year is big for him if he wants to get paid when it’s time.

Biggest disappointment: QB Geno Smith

I’m not sure there’s much to say here. Smith leads the NFL in interceptions with 10, and just when we thought he would have a turnover-free game against the Titans last week, he threw one, and that was just as color commentator Johnathan Vilma said that he hadn’t thrown an interception yet.

He’s forcing things, not using his eyes well, and not playing like we ever saw him play with the Seattle Seahawks.

Turning point of the last six weeks: Losing to the Chicago Bears at home

The Bears are not a good team, and yet, they came in and walked off the Raiders at home. And, by walk off, I mean they blocked a field goal that would have won the game for Vegas. However, that loss is when you really started to notice that this was a bad team.

Overall Grade: D

Defensive superlatives

MVP: EDGE Maxx Crosby

This one is a no-brainer. You have players on the other team saying every week, win or loss, that Crosby is one of the best overall players in the league. Against the Titans, he was doubled all game and still had two sacks. He’s just unstoppable at this point.

Glue guy: LB Devin White

In the last game against the Titans, you could say Devin White was the MVP. He really is the chemistry guy on the team — the definition of a glue guy — and it helps when his play backs it up. He had one interception, one strip sack, and nine tackles in the game.

White has been balling, but for him, it’s all about the team.

Biggest surprise: DT Jonah Laulu

A practice squad pickup after being on the Indianapolis Colts, the former Oklahoma Sooners DT has been amazing for the Raiders in that starting DT rotation next to Adam Butler, as he already has four sacks on the year. Laulu was looked at as a run stopper and space stuffer coming in, but he’s been that and a great pass rusher.

Biggest disappointment: S Isaiah Pola-Mao

I wouldn’t say he’s been bad, but last year, when he had to fill in for an injured Mike Epps, he was much better than how he’s played thus far. Playing under DB guru Pete Carroll and getting the big contract were things we thought would help him improve, but it hasn’t exactly looked that way so far.

Overall Grade: B+

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2025 draft class superlatives

Overachiever: RB Ashton Jeanty

There isn’t a perfect answer for this one, but I feel as if Jeanty should be doing worse with what he has to work with, given that the play-calling isn’t putting him in the best positions to succeed. He’s had some incredible plays, though, and is easily the best of the rookies they drafted.

Rookie we need to see more from: WR Jack Bech

This one has to be either Bech or CB Darien Porter, but for the sake of the article, I went with Bech because he’s on the side of the ball that is bad, so why wouldn’t the Raiders try to get him out there more? He’s only played 112 total snaps, and that’s just not enough.

They’re putting Dont’e Thornton Jr. out there over him, someone who was drafted under him, and not using Bech enough. I get Thornton fits what they need better, but why did you draft Bech in the second round if you won’t play him enough?

Underachiever: WR Dont’e Thornton

There have been so many opportunities for Thornton that he has just bobbled, literally. Outside of RB Raheem Mostert, he has the worst Pro Football Focus receiving grade on the team. That means guys like Alex Cappa, Carter Runyon, and Ian Thomas are above him. He’s had far too many opportunities to have the production, or lack thereof, he’s had.

They are getting some good, valuable reps from the guys that are seeing the field, and you can tell Jeanty is a star in the making, but nothing else has really gone right. The potential still flashes, but as of now, no production — or very little — is showing.

Overall Grade: C+

Coaching Report Card

The coaching appears to be better than last season’s, but that’s not saying much. This has been an extremely disappointing season from that standpoint, considering who they brought in (Pete Carroll).

But the good news is that it can be better because we have seen flashes of it. The coaching on the defensive side of the ball has been amazing; the offensive side of the ball? Not so much.

Overall Grade: C

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