The Las Vegas Raiders have a ton of options of whom to select with the 6th pick in the NFL Draft. A week ago, it felt like they were going to be forced to take a quarterback. Trading for Geno Smith changed that.
While they have not ruled out still taking a quarterback at 6, the Raiders can now truly draft the best player available.
The 33rd Team just released their latest mock draft, and they have the Silver and Black taking the best offensive player in the NFL Draft.
Ashton Jeanty lands in Las Vegas in our latest mock draft 🎰 pic.twitter.com/al5xcJVkq8
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 14, 2025
Raiders Select Running Back Ashton Jeanty 6th Overall
In this scenario, both QBs, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, were taken in the Top 3, before the Raiders selection. Travis Hunter went 2nd overall to the Cleveland Browns.
I’ll be honest, if the board fell this way, it would be really hard not to take EDGE Abdul Carter to pair with Maxx Crosby. The Penn State product is arguably the best player in the draft and would give the Raiders one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.
Not to take anything away from the generational talent that Jeanty is, but it is a bit easier to make up for RB production than it is for pass rush production.
However, the 33rd team saw it differently and decided to pair Jeanty with Geno Smith in the backfield.
- Ashton Jeanty 2024 Stats: 374 carries, 2601 yards, 29 touchdowns
The Raiders will need to add to the RB room, regardless. Currently, Raheem Mostert would be considered the starter after they just signed him in free agency. Mostert had a career year in 2023, where he rushed for over 1000 yards, but last season, he played in just 13 games and only garnered 85 carries. He is also 32 years old.
Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders Star Unsatisfied With Free Agent Haul
Pete Carroll had success at USC and with the Seahawks when he had competent quarterback play, with an elite running game and a dominant defense.
With the USC Trojans, he had Reggie Bush and Lendale White, with defenses led by Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, Leonard Williams, etc. Matt Leinart was no slouch, but the offense went through Thunder and Lightning.
In Seattle, Russell Wilson was at his best, but the offense went through Marshawn Lynch, and the Legion of Boom stole the show.
Drafting Jeanty would give the Raiders this combination. A dominant run game paired with the component QB play of Geno Smith. The defense still has a ways to go, but they have the pillars in place with Crosby and Christian Wilkins.
Thoughts, Raider Nation?