HENDERSON, Nev. -- The 2025 NFL draft got under way on Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After making a couple of second-round trades, the Las Vegas Raiders are slated to make 12 of the draft's 257 picks, and started off by taking running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 selection. In the second and third rounds, they loaded up with some linemen. Let's take a look at each of the picks:
Las Vegas Raiders 2025 draft picks
Round 1, No. 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
My take: This pick seemed like a no-brainer. Coach Pete Carroll made it clear that he wants a run-heavy offense, and Jeanty is not only the top running back in this year's class but one of the best overall players. The addition of Jeanty fits Carroll's expectations of being competitive right away. At the same time, Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are solid foundational players to build on for the future.
Key stat: In college, Jeanty was hard to bring down, a trait that Las Vegas hopes translates to the NFL. Jeanty forced 126 missed tackles, the most in FBS, while his 1,733 yards after contact were 590 more than any other FBS player in 2024.
Will he start as a rookie? Yes. The current depth at running back should allow Jeanty to slide into the RB1 role. Outside of Jeanty, the Raiders' running back room consists of Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube. Mostert is 32 years old and coming off a quiet season in which he totaled 278 yards on 85 carries in 13 games. Meanwhile, White and McCormick were limited by injuries in 2024. The starting job is Jeanty's to lose.
What's next: The Raiders addressed perhaps their biggest need of the draft. However, there's plenty of work that needs to be done. Las Vegas has pressing needs at wide receiver, cornerback and inside linebacker. Keep in mind, Spytek and Carroll also love the trenches, so expect them to try to add depth on the offensive and defensive lines.
Round 2, No. 58 (via Houston): Jack Bech, WR, TCU
My take: Las Vegas gave quarterback Geno Smith some more help. Bech had a breakout performance in 2024, becoming just the fifth player in TCU history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. Bech, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, finished sixth in the Big 12 in receiving yards with 1,034 yards. The Raiders entered the draft with needs at running back and wide receiver. They addressed both with their first two picks.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? Bech has the potential to be more than a depth piece. Las Vegas is pretty thin at wide receiver outside of Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. The third wide receiver on the depth chart is Kyle Philips, who last played in 2023. Bech can play inside and out, and has solid ball skills that gives him a chance to have a meaningful role on offense as a rookie.
Round 3, No. 68: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
My take: Porter is a bit of a project. He started in seven games -- all in 2024 -- during his six-year career at Iowa State. Porter came to the program in 2019 as a wide receiver before he moved to cornerback in 2022. Porter spent the majority of his college career playing special teams, but he has the size and physical traits that Carroll looks for in a cornerback. He is 6-4 and weighs 200 pounds.
Key Stat: At the combine, Porter showcased his speed. He completed the 40-yard dash in 4.30 seconds -- third fastest of any player in 2025.
Round 3, No. 98 (via Miami): Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech
My take: Raiders general manager John Spytek said he would've felt bad if he walked away from his first draft in Las Vegas without a couple of linemen. The Raiders addressed that position with back-to-back picks to close out the third round. Rogers started in 55 consecutive games for the Red Raiders, playing primarily at offensive tackle. Carroll said Friday that he expects Rogers to play at guard in the NFL.
Ties to the team to know: Rogers played alongside Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson for three seasons at Texas Tech. After Rogers was drafted by Las Vegas, he said Wilson was the first player to call him after his conversation with Carroll.
Round 3, No. 99 (via Houston): Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
My take: With Kolton Miller's contract situation up in the air, it was expected that the Raiders will draft an offensive tackle at some point. Grant will have a chance to compete at right tackle with the potential of playing left tackle down the road.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? Just like Rogers, Grant will add depth to the Raiders' offensive line. Coming from an FCS school, there will be a learning curve for Grant but Spytek believes the 6-foot-5 lineman is a perfect fit for the Raiders' scheme.
Round 4, No. 108: Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
My take: Even after the Raiders took Bech in the second round, they still needed help at wide receiver. Thornton, who totaled a career-best 661 yards in 2024, has big play potential. He led the nation in average yards per catch (25.4) and catches for 50-plus yards (six).
Round 4, No. 135: Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
My take: Hemingway, the second defensive player taken by Las Vegas in the draft, provides depth up front. In five seasons at South Carolina, Hemingway showcased an ability to rush the quarterback. He totaled 9.5 sacks in his last three years, including four in 2024.
Round 6, No. 180: JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
My take: The Raiders used four of their last five draft picks to address the trenches on both sides. Pegues was one of the top defensive tackle prospects remaining on the board. He was named third-team All-SEC in 2024 after totaling 14.5 tackles for loss and 15 run stops. He also lined up as a fullback in goal line and short yardage situations. Pegues recorded seven rushing touchdowns -- second-most on the team and the most in a season by an FBS defensive lineman over the last 25 years.
Round 6, No. 213 overall: Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State
My take: Mellot is expected to be a wide receiver at the next level after playing quarterback in college. He finished his career at Montana State with 3,523 rushing yards and 5,810 passing yards. Mellot participated in wide receiver and punt return drills at his pro day.
Round 6, No. 215 overall: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State
My take: The Raiders were expected to add to their quarterback room, and they did just that by drafting Miller. As a starter for the Bisons, Miller had a 45-11 record and won two NCAA Division I FCS championships. Miller was 2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year after he threw for 3,251 yards, 33 touchdowns and four picks. He will compete with Aidan O'Connell and Carter Bradley at backup quarterback.
Round 7, No. 222: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
My take: Inside linebacker was another area of need for the Raiders. Devin White and Elandon Roberts are expected to be starters at inside linebacker. But Lindenberg can serve as a backup with the possibility of being a valuable special teamer. In 2024, he totaled 94 tackles and six passes defended.