The Las Vegas Raiders have entered an exciting phase marked by significant offseason moves, even with the 2025 NFL Draft still weeks away. The arrival of Pete Carroll as head coach and the acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith have instilled a sense of optimism among Raiders fans. However, a recent mock draft by ESPN’s Matt Miller has introduced a surprising twist to the team’s potential draft strategy.
In his latest seven-round mock draft, Miller deviates from the prevailing consensus, predicting the Raiders will forgo selecting running back Ashton Jeanty. Instead, he projects the Raiders to select Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the sixth overall pick.
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan In Mock Draft
“Ashton Jeanty has been a popular pick here in mocks, but have you seen the Raiders’ wide receiver depth chart? Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly will want to run the ball, but they didn’t trade a third-round pick for quarterback Geno Smith to have him hand the ball off 35 times per game,” Miller explains.
He emphasizes the Raiders’ more pressing need for receiver talent and suggests that general manager John Spytek might opt to address the running back position later in the draft, given its depth.
Miller also points out the relative lack of depth in this year’s receiver class, suggesting that the Raiders might need to use their first-round pick to secure a high-impact player at that position. While McMillan’s 4.55-second forty-yard dash has raised concerns among some scouts, the Raiders’ current wide receiver situation, lacking depth beyond Jakobi Meyers, makes this a defensible selection.
Despite passing on Jeanty in the first round, Miller’s mock draft has the Raiders addressing their running back needs in the second round, selecting Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson with the 37th overall pick. Miller highlights the connection between Henderson and Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached him last season.
“New Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly coached Henderson last season and knows what he can bring to the offense as a slashing runner, elite receiver and top pass protector,” Miller notes. He projects Henderson as a day-one starter, complementing the offensive core.
To further bolster their offense, Miller’s mock draft includes the Raiders drafting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and Virginia Tech wide receiver Da’Quan Felton in the later rounds. If this draft scenario were to materialize, the Raiders could significantly enhance their competitiveness in the 2025 season.