The Las Vegas Raiders look much different in 2025 compared to 2024. Geno Smith and Pete Carroll are in, and Antonio Pierce and Gardner Minshew are out.
On top of that, Tom Brady quietly pulls strings in the background. The Las Vegas Raiders look much different, but their division does not. Patrick Mahomes, Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh are just some of the most notable names in the division, setting up a mountainous task for Geno Smith.
Of course, the quarterback can’t do it alone. One of a quarterback’s best options is having a star running back to turn toward, and the Raiders have a chance for an impressive one in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here’s a look at whether the Raiders should draft Ashton Jeanty and who they need to add after that.
#1 – Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos
Ashton Jeanty is arguably the best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season, he rushed for more than 2600 yards. While Travis Hunter was impressive, his production wasn’t on that level. If it weren’t for the prejudice against running backs in the NFL Draft, Jeanty would be a top-two pick.
As such, this is the rare instance when the Raiders should take the plunge and draft the running back. Pete Carroll reached two Super Bowls with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. He has Russell Wilson’s successor and a chance at a new Marshawn Lynch. He should take it.
#2 – Round 2, Pick 37: Oronde Gadsden II, WR, Syracuse Orange
The Raiders would get a boost overnight from Ashton Jeanty, but their offense wouldn’t be complete. Jakobi Meyers is a quality receiver, but he isn’t a bona fide franchise receiver. Oronde Gadsden II has the chance to be that for the Raiders.
His best asset is that he played tight end and wide receiver in college, which would create the best tight end room in the NFL overnight, as well as give the team a new future franchise wide receiver. His addition would give the offense a wrinkle that teams won’t be able to prepare for. Gadsden earned more than 900 yards in a season as a wide receiver and more than 900 yards in a season as a tight end.
#3 – Round 3, Pick 68: Jacob Parrish, CB, Louisville Cardinals
Of course, Pete Carroll’s Legion of Boom era had the quarterback and the running back, but it also had one of the best defenses in recent NFL history. The Raiders won’t get the unit into that shape overnight, but they can get a start with beefing up the secondary with Jacob Parrish.
Parrish had the college production pattern that teams should be looking for. In 2023, he earned four interceptions. In 2024, he earned one. This shows that teams were initially unafraid to test him in 2023, but he taught them to be careful when targeting him or to throw elsewhere in 2024. The Raiders will have a respectable shot to repeat this pattern in 2025 if they take him.
