Now that the courtship is over and the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 NFL Draft class is in the building, it’s time to determine each of the 11 rookies’ expectations during their first season. So, what is the ceiling and floor for each draft pick in year one?
Ashton Jeanty
Ceiling: Offensive Rookie of the Year
The Raiders have only had one AP OROY in franchise history, Marcus Allen in 1982. Jeanty, who will be looking to follow in the franchise rushing leader’s footsteps, has a chance to be the second as he’s currently the favorite to win the award, per FanDuel Sportsbook. While that’s a lofty goal, the Boise State product should get plenty of touches to put up some impressive numbers in year one.
Floor: Leads team in rushing
The floor is pretty high for Jeanty’s rookie season since he will be the team’s top back heading into training camp. Barring an injury, there’s no reason why he can’t at least lead Las Vegas in rushing yards this year.
Jack Bech
Ceiling: Become No. 2 pass-catcher
Bech is currently projected to be a starter opposite Jakobi Meyers out wide. But the second-round pick has a chance to unseat Meyers as the offense’s second option in the passing game. While that’s an uphill battle, it is the ideal situation for the team long-term, seeing as the veteran is entering a contract year. However, becoming the No. 1 over Brock Bowers is unrealistic.
Floor: Fall to WR3
Tre Tucker and the rookie will be battling it out for the Raiders’ WR2 distinction during training camp. Granted, they have different skill sets with Tucker being a deep threat and Bech a possession receiver, but Tucker’s role could expand in his third season to take targets away from the TCU product.
Darien Porter
Darien Porter
Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images
Ceiling: Become CB1
It will be an open competition in Las Vegas for the defense’s top cornerback spot, and Porter has elite traits to potentially earn that honor. If he’s a quick learner and can improve his technique during training camp, the third-round pick could be on a fast track to becoming the team’s best defensive back.
Floor: Only contribute on special teams
On the other end of the spectrum, there is a world where Porter needs more time to develop before he can contribute on defense. However, he’s already talked about playing special teams and should offer value in that department, at the least.
Caleb Rogers
Ceiling: Win a starting guard spot
Like cornerback, the Silver and Black have an open competition on the interior of the offensive line. While Jackson Powers-Johnson, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith and Alex Cappa are the favorites to earn the three starting spots, there is room for Rogers to crash the party and start as a rookie.
Floor: Backup duties
The Raiders need depth in the trenches, so the Texas Tech product will likely dress for every game this season. Plus, he has experience playing four out of five offensive line positions to add some versatility off the bench.
Charles Grant
Ceiling: Starting RT
While DJ Glaze will enter training camp as the first-string right tackle, he doesn’t have that spot locked down, especially with a new regime taking over. Grant has the athleticism and zone-run-blocking skills to at least threaten the second-year pro’s job.
Floor: Healthy scratch
That being said, the William & Mary product is making a significant jump from the FCS to the NFL and needs to improve his technique before he’s ready for action. While Grant has a chance to beat out Thayer Munford Jr. for the swing tackle role, there’s also a chance the rookie rides the bench and doesn’t see the field much.
Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Dont’e Thornton
Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ceiling: Become offense’s deep threat
Tucker will be Thornton’s competition for this role as both players have plenty of speed to burn. The veteran has experience on his side, but you can’t teach size and the 6-foot-5 rookie has a significant advantage in that department to potentially be a more effective vertical receiver.
Floor: Only contribute on special teams
The Tennessee product does need to expand his route tree to get NFL defensive backs to fear his 4.3 speed, and that could take some time to develop. He should at least have a job on special teams with how fast he is, though.
Tonka Hemingway
Ceiling: Versatile backup
It’s going to be tough for Hemingway to crack the starting lineup with Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Christian Wilkins and Adam Butler on the defensive line. But the South Carolina product does offer some position versatility to contribute off the bench, a job he’ll be competing with Tyree Wilson and Jonah Laulu for.
Floor: Healthy scratch
As a fourth-round pick, it’s unlikely that the South Carolina product doesn’t make the roster in year one. However, that doesn’t guarantee he’ll get much playing time this season as the Raiders have plenty of backup options on the D-line.
JJ Pegues
Ceiling: Contribute on offense and defense
Like Hemingway, Pegues could easily carve out a role as a backup defensive lineman this fall. On top of that, he’s a unique player who was used in short-yardage situations at Ole Miss and has experience playing tight end to be included in a few packages offensively.
Floor: Cut/Practice Squad
It’d be a little surprising to see the former Rebel get left off the 53-man roster, but that’s a possibility for anyone drafted in the sixth round or later. He should at least get an offer to stick around on the practice squad, though.
Tommy Mellott
Tommy Mellott
Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Ceiling: Special teams contributor
Between making the jump from FCS to the NFL and switching positions, it’s unrealistic to expect Mellott to get much playing time offensively this year. However, the rookie can contribute on special teams and has a chance to win both returner jobs.
Floor: Cut/Practice Squad
As mentioned above, late-round picks will be fighting for a roster spot during training camp, especially with such a large draft class. If he does get cut, Mellott would be a good candidate for the practice squad so he can develop his receiver skills.
Cam Miller
Ceiling: Emergency Quarterback
Aidan O’Connell has played well enough to be the Raiders’ backup quarterback in 2025, making Miller more likely to compete with Carter Bradley as the third QB on the depth chart. The North Dakota State product is a good runner, which should give him an advantage over Bradley in Chip Kelly’s offense.
Floor: Cut/Practice Squad
There are two avenues where Miller doesn’t make the team: Bradley wins the emergency quarterback jobf, or the coaching staff opts to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster. Either way, the former Bison should have an offer to remain with the club on the practice squad.
Cody Lindenberg
Ceiling: Starter
This might seem crazy for a seventh-rounder, but the Raiders have a wide-open competition at linebacker this summer. Lindenberg is a good run defender who could surprise people and eventually earn a starting job at some point next season.
Floor: Cut/Practice Squad
Obviously, there’s a wide range of outcomes for the former Golden Gopher. While the section above is possible, he does face the same obstacles as the rest of the late-round selections.