The Las Vegas Raiders have already navigated a significant offseason, marked by the high-profile signings of head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith before the onset of NFL free agency. These pivotal moves have undoubtedly reshaped the potential direction of the franchise strategy heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Notably, one NFL analyst suggests that they might prioritize bolstering their defense early in the selection process.
The Las Vegas Raiders are rumored to be interested in adding a cornerback during the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid recently offered his insightful projections for the Raiders just weeks before the draft. Reid began by acknowledging the widely held belief that Las Vegas represents an ideal landing spot for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
He wrote, “Jeanty and the Raiders are one of the most linked pairings in this draft. It makes sense because Las Vegas could use another instant-impact offensive threat along with tight end Brock Bowers, and Carroll isn’t afraid to use first-round capital on running backs (see Rashaad Penny).”
However, Reid also proposed that the Raiders could be keenly interested in acquiring a cornerback early in the draft, particularly if they were to consider trading down from their current No. 6 overall pick. In this scenario, Reid specifically highlighted Texas standout Jahdae Barron as a potential target.
“Cornerback could be another position the Raiders target early, especially if they decide to trade down from No. 6. Multiple league sources have mentioned Jahdae Barron (Texas) as an option if they trade back”
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Barron is widely considered one of the premier cornerback prospects in this year’s class, and his versatility, with the ability to play both cornerback and safety, aligns with the growing demand for hybrid defensive backs in the modern NFL, as exemplified by the success of players like Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch.
Adding a versatile and talented defensive back like Barron could provide a significant tone-setter for the Raiders’ secondary, and it’s conceivable that Las Vegas might even consider trading up into the middle or late first round if Barron were to unexpectedly slide down the draft board.