The Las Vegas Raiders have experienced a transformative offseason, marked by the hiring of head coach Pete Carroll and the acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks. While the team’s most pressing need appears to be an offensive playmaker, speculation is mounting about the possibility of them drafting a quarterback.
Will The Las Vegas Raiders Draft A QB In 2025?
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden suggests this is a viable option. “Will the Raiders draft a quarterback? Even though Smith gives the Raiders a chance to win games right away, Las Vegas could take a quarterback at some point in the draft to secure its future at the position,” McFadden wrote.
It’s crucial to note that McFadden isn’t advocating for a first-round quarterback selection, but rather indicating the potential for a quarterback pick “at some point” in the draft.
The Raiders hold the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, placing them in a favorable position to potentially select Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, should either quarterback fall outside the top five. However, the draft offers numerous quarterback options beyond the first round. Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers, and Jalen Milroe are among the quarterbacks the Raiders could consider in the middle and later rounds.
The Atlanta Falcons executed a similar game plan last season. While signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. was roundly panned it was fortuitous for the Falcons as Cousins struggled to find consistency and was benched in favor of the rookie for the final three games.
Head Coach Pete Carroll has gone down this path in the past when he drafted Russell Wilson.
Wilson’s entry into the NFL began with his selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, where he was the 75th overall pick and the sixth quarterback chosen. This draft selection, particularly Wilson’s, drew considerable criticism, as the Seahawks had recently signed free agent Matt Flynn. The perception was that the team had invested in a quarterback, making the Wilson pick redundant. Nevertheless, two weeks after the draft, on May 7, 2012, Wilson signed a four-year contract with the Seahawks for $2.99 million.