The Raiders made some moves during free agency, but they weren’t major players, outside of the Geno Smith trade. They lost some key defensive pieces and did their best to replace them with cheaper versions. They made it clear that they want to build through the draft and that they won’t overpay just to fill a need.
With the draft less than 20 days away and most of the top free agents off the market, it is a good time to look at where the Raiders’ roster stands entering the draft.
Projected Starter: Geno Smith
Projected Backup: Aiden O’Connell
Other Quarterbacks on the roster: Carter Bradley
QB room summary: The Raiders need at quarterback has drastically decreased with the acquisition of Geno Smith. He has been one of the league’s most accurate quarterbacks since 2021 and a consistent producer with over 4,200 yards in two of the past three seasons. He brings stability and proven production to a team that desperately needs an answer at the position.
As far as backups go, the Raiders should feel comfortable with Aiden O’Connell. He isn’t perfect, but he has plenty of experience as a starter thus far. He showed he is capable of stepping in and playing well enough to keep the Raiders competitive when he checks into the game. Vegas shouldn’t feel pressured to improve their backup.
The Raiders’ quarterback room is in good shape entering the draft, and it would be a surprise if they spent a top-100 pick on a quarterback, given their needs at other positions. Smith provides stability and proven production as a starter, and O’Connell is a servicable backup.
Projected Starter: Raheem Mostert
Projected Backup: Sincere McCormick
Other Running Backs on the roster: Zamir White, Dylan Laube, Chris Collier, Isaiah Spiller
RB room summary: The Raiders had one of the league’s worst rushing attacks last season, and they haven’t done much to fix it. Raheem Mostert is a nice veteran addition, but he has dealt with injuries and is coming off a down year. Sincere McCormick flashed in limited action last year, but that is not enough to prevent the Raiders from taking a running back early in the draft. Zamir White was supposed to break out last year, but he never found his flow in the new offense, and he will likely have an uphill battle to make the roster.
The Raiders need to add at least one back, if not two, in the draft, as they need to find a consistent ground game this year. They have a few solid options in Mostert and McCormick, but they need more, and they need to find a long-term back.
Projected Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Kyle Phillips
Projected Backups: Ramel Keyton, Kristian Wilkerson, Alex Bachman
Other Wide Receivers on the roster: Jeff Foreman, Tyreik McAllister, Shedrick Jackson
WR room summary: Due to the presence of Brock Bowers, the Raiders’ need for a receiver has not been discussed much, but it is a major need. Outside of Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, there is no other starting receiver on the roster. Everyone else profiles as a depth piece or a practice squad player. The Raiders need to add at least two more solid receivers through the draft and free agency for both the present and the future. It is a major need that doesn’t get talked about enough because of Brock Bowers’ presence as a receiver.
Projected Starter: Brock Bowers
Projected Backup: Michael Mayer
Other Tight Ends on the roster: Ian Thomas, Juston Shorter
TE room summary: The Raiders have one of the best tight end rooms in the league. Brock Bowers was a first-team All-Pro last season despite being a rookie. Michael Mayer is a young player who has flashed when on the field, but a personal situation cost him the majority of the 2024 season. Ian Thomas is a good third tight end, as he is a good blocker and a solid pass-catching option. The need for a tight end is very minimal, but given how good the draft class is at the position, the Raiders could take a developmental one later on.
Projected Starters: LT Kolton Miller, LG Alex Cappa, C Jackson Powers-Johnson, RG Dylan Parham, RT DJ Glaze
Projected Backups: OT Dalton Wagner, OG Jordan Meredith, C Will Putnam, OT Thayer Munford Jr.
Other Offensive Linemen on the roster: OT Gottlieb Ayedze
O-Line room summary: The Raiders’ offensive line is in a better spot than people realize. Kolton Miller has been one of the league’s better left tackles for quite some time. Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze both had very encouraging rookie seasons, especially the former. Dylan Parham has played very well at times, but he has been banged up a lot as well. They could look to improve from Alex Cappa, as he is not the same player he once was, but Jordan Meredith could easily win the starting job, as he has played very well as a starter in limited action.
The Raiders don’t need to spend an early pick on the offensive line, but it wouldn’t be a stunner if they decided to do so. They could certainly add more depth in the room, but they don’t need to spend an early pick on a starter, as they have a good enough group for the present and the future.
Projected Starters: DE Maxx Crosby, DT Christian Wilkins, DT Adam Butler, DE Malcolm Koonce
Projected Backups: DE Charles Snowden, DT Jonah Laulu, DT Leki Fotu, DE Tyree Wilson
Other Defensive Lineman on the roster: DE Andre Carter II, DT Tyler Manoa, DT Matthew Butler, DE David Agoha, DE Ovie Oghoufo
D-Line room summary: The strength of the Raiders roster is their defensive line. Maxx Crosby is arguably the best pass rusher in the league. Christian Wilkins is one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Malcolm Koonce was set to erupt last season before suffering a season-ending injury right before the season. Adam Butler is one of the more underrated players in the league, and Tyree Wilson has shown flashes of becoming an elite defensive end.
The Raiders’ defensive line dealt with a lot of injuries last season and never got to show its full potential. They get a chance to do so this season, and they are going to make or break the defense. The Raiders could use some more depth amongst the defensive line, but their starting unit is great, and it should be elite this season.
Projected Starters: Elandon Roberts, Devin White
Projected Backups: Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg
Other Linebackers on the roster: Amari Gainer, Kana’i Mauga, Jackson Mitchell, Brandon Smith
LB room summary: The Raiders lost both their starting linebackers this offseason and haven’t done much to replace them. Elandon Roberts is a nice addition, but he has been mainly a run stopper who has struggled in coverage. Devin White has flashed what made him a top-five pick, but he has really struggled the past few seasons. It’s possible that one of the younger guys step up, such as Amari Gainer or Tommy Eichenberg, but the Raiders should strongly consider adding a linebacker early on in the draft, as they don’t have a lot of reliable options at the moment.
Projected Starters: Jakorian Bennett, Eric Stokes, Darnay Holmes
Projected Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Kyu Blu Kelly, M.J. Devonshire
Other Cornerbacks on the roster: Sam Webb
CB room summary: The Raiders’ biggest need at the moment is at cornerback. They lost Nate Hobbs in free agency and parted ways with Jack Jones. Jakorian Bennett was playing great last year until he suffered a season-ending injury late in the year. Eric Stokes is a solid addition as a former first rounder with upside, but he can’t be counted on to be a starter. Decamerion Richardson also showed some nice flashes, but he is still extremely raw.
The Raiders need to address the position as badly as any other position, given their current situation. It would be a bit of a surprise if they didn’t take a cornerback with one of their first two picks, given the need they have.
Projected Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao
Projected Backups: Lonnie Johnson Jr., Thomas Harper
Other Safeties on the roster: Chris Smith II, Trey Taylor
Safety room summary: Losing Tre’Von Moehrig was a big loss for the Raiders, but Jeremy Chinn is as good a replacement as possible. He is a big-time hitter with elite speed and athleticism for his size. The Raiders will be able to move him all over the place on defense. Isaiah Pola-Mao is another big, athletic safety who the team clearly likes, given his contract extension, and he should take another step as a full-time starter this season. The Raiders could and should take a safety at some point in the draft, but it isn’t the most pressing need on the roster.
Projected Starters: K Daniel Carlson, P AJ Cole, LS Jacob Bobenmoyer
Special Teams room summary: The Raiders arguably have the best special teams unit in the NFL. Both AJ Cole and Daniel Carlson are among the elite players at their positions, and they should be Raiders for a long-time. There is no need for Vegas to try and upgrade from either one, as they are elite.
The Raiders’ needs entering the draft couldn’t be clearer. On the defensive side of the ball they badly need an upgrade at corner and at linebacker, and on offense, they need to add a running back and receiver, if not two of each. Their quarterback issue has been solved, and that is the most important position to figure out.
They should have plenty of options at pick number six, and there isn’t a wrong pick, given their needs and the top of the draft board. Pay attention to names such as Ashton Jeanty, Will Johnson, Jalon Walker, and Jahdae Barron, as well as others, for the Raiders in the first round.
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