With a mix of veteran acquisitions and a bunch of draft picks, the Raiders will look a lot different in 2025.
Quarterback (3)
Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller (R)
Las Vegas getting an established quarterback for soon-to-be 74-year-old head coach Pete Carroll made sense, and Geno Smith obviously got his career on track under Carroll in Seattle. Passing on opportunities to add Jalen Milroe or Shedeur Sanders as the potential quarterback of the future is something the Raiders might come to regret, but they ended up taking Cam Miller in the sixth round to join Smith and Aidan O’Connell.
Running back (3)
Ashton Jeanty (R), Raheem Mostert, Zamir White
It’s not an understatement to say Ashton Jeanty will be one of the most impactful players in the league over the next few years—as being a superstar, team-carrying runner can help get the Raiders into contention in the AFC West. Raheem Mostert is set to have a nice change-of-pace role, and Zamir White will provide some power if he can beat out Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube.
Wide receiver (5)
Jakobi Meyers, Jack Bech (R), Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr. (R), Tommy Mellott (R)
Three rookie wide receivers making the team would be a rarity, but Las Vegas took Jack Bech in Round 2, Dont’e Thornton Jr. in Round 4, and college quarterback Tommy Mellott in Round 6. Mellott will need to show enough in training camp to crack the 53-man roster, and he’ll be battling Kyle Philips (who played under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at UCLA) and the big-bodied Collin Johnson.
Tight end (3)
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
We should expect plenty of 12 personnel to get Michael Mayer on the field more next to Brock Bowers, and Tom Brady knows better than anyone how dangerous two difference-making tight ends can be together. Ian Thomas is a very good blocker and should have the edge for the No. 3 role.
Offensive tackle (4)
Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Thayer Munford Jr., Charles Grant (R)
The Raiders are in a good spot with returning starters Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze at the tackle spots with Thayer Munford Jr. showing well as a starter a couple of years ago—so third-round rookie Charles Grant should be more of a developmental swing tackle in his first season. Dalton Wagner and Gottlieb Ayedze are both guys that lose the numbers game but could land elsewhere.
Interior offensive line (5)
Dylan Parham, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Alex Cappa, Caleb Rogers (R), Jordan Meredith
The interior of the offensive line is unsettled ahead of training camp, but that’s more about starting jobs and where everyone might slot in rather than roster spots. We’d expect third-rounder Caleb Rogers to begin his career as a backup along with Jordan Meredith, and Dylan Parham goes back to left guard after beginning his NFL career there.
Defensive tackle (6)
Christian Wilkins, Adam Butler, Tonka Hemingway (R), JJ Pegues (R), Jonah Laulu, Leki Fotu
Christian Wilkins (foot) has had some issues with his recovery, but he should still be ready for the opener—and Las Vegas brought in young reinforcements with the Day 3 selections of Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues. As the rookies develop, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can lean on Adam Butler and Jonah Laulu as players who made starts in 2024, and Leki Fotu is hoping to get his career back on track after a lost season with the Jets due to injury.
Defensive end (4)
Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden
Another addition on the edge might be necessary if 2023 first-rounder Tyree Wilson doesn’t have a strong summer, but whoever is on the field across from Maxx Crosby will see plenty of one-on-one opportunities. Andre Carter II, Ovie Oghoufo, and undrafted rookie Jah Joyner will try to force Vegas to keep five defensive ends on the roster.
Linebacker (6)
Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Tommy Eichenberg, Jaylon Smith, Cody Lindenberg (R)
The Raiders loaded up on veteran additions at linebacker, and Germaine Pratt is the most recent after he was released by Cincinnati. The only options that are 100% safe will be Pratt and Elandon Roberts, but Devin White and Jaylon Smith will come in determined, Tommy Eichenberg was a fifth-round pick last year, and there might be enough room to keep seventh-round rookie Cody Lindenberg, too.
Cornerback (6)
Jakorian Bennett, Darien Porter (R), Darnay Holmes, Eric Stokes, Decamerion Richardson, Kyu Blu Kelly
There might not have been a cleaner player-to-team fit in the 2025 NFL Draft than Darien Porter to the Raiders—as he’s a long, fast, and athletic cornerback who should thrive under Pete Carroll. We think he’ll be too good to not leap Eric Stokes and Decamerion Richardson before long; and in the slot, Darnay Holmes is a player we have always liked, so maybe he can win the job inside. The No. 6 role will likely be between Kyu Blu Kelly, Sam Webb, and undrafted rookie Mello Dotson.
Safety (5)
Isaiah Pola-Mao, Jeremy Chinn, Chris Smith II, Thomas Harper, Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Safety will be perhaps the closest roster battle of the summer, as Chris Smith II, Thomas Harper, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Trey Taylor, and Jonathan Sutherland will all be competing for potentially just two spots. Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn are the starters, but Smith is someone we could see emerging if given an expanded opportunity.
Special teams (3)
Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, Jacob Bobenmoyer
The kicking game is a strength for the Raiders, so Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer are all back and won’t be joined by any new names in camp.