5 best first-round NFL draft picks the Raiders could make

With the 2025 NFL draft less than two weeks away, crunch time has arrived for the Las Vegas Raiders‘ front office.

The Raiders own nine picks in the upcoming NFL draft, including the No. 6 overall selection. Las Vegas addressed its biggest concern by trading for former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and then inking him to a two-year, $75 million extension.

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Still, the Raiders need to get this draft right in order to morph into an AFC West contender in head coach Pete Carroll’s first season directing the silver and black.

As the draft swiftly approaches, here’s the five best picks the Raiders could make with their first-round selection at pick No. 6:

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after sacking Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) dung the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas has one of the league’s premier pass rushers in defensive end Maxx Crosby. The franchise showed how much it values Crosby by locking him up long-term with a three-year extension. In his six NFL seasons thus far, Crosby has racked up 366 tackles, 59.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

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What could make Crosby even more disruptive for opposing quarterbacks? Finding a proper running mate.

While it’s a long shot that Abdul Carter falls to No. 6, if that scenario unfolds, the Raiders have to pounce upon the opportunity to select the draft’s best available player. Carter tallied a whopping 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks last season at Penn State.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Nov 23, 2024; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Boise State Broncos running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images

The Raiders had the NFL’s worst rushing attack a season ago. Drafting the best running back in this draft class is a no-brainer direction if it’s the path that Las Vegas charts out.

Ashton Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries a season ago with the Broncos and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. The 5-foot-8, 211 pound running back also caught 43 passes for 569 yards with five touchdowns in the 2023 season. That three-down back capability helps make Jeanty the best back in this draft class.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates touchdown during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a great chance that Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is on the board and available when the Raiders are selecting at No. 6. With a new franchise quarterback in town, it makes sense that the organization would look to pair Smith with a new No. 1 wide receiver.

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The 6-foot-4, 219 pound wide receiver was an AP first-team All-American last season after reeling in 84 grabs for 1,319 yards with eight touchdowns. McMillan ended his Arizona career as the program’s career receiving yardage leader with 3,423 receiving yards.

Though the Raiders have tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, one more star in the receiving department could really bring everything offensively together.

CB Will Johnson, Michigan

10. Jaguars [PROJECTED TRADE with Bears] – CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Cornerback is a position of need for the Raiders after the departures of Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones. In order to seriously contend in the AFC, Las Vegas needs a cornerback that can go lock down opposing teams’ best receivers.

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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson can become that defensive back for the Raiders. The 6-foot-2 corner finished his Michigan career with three pick-sixes, nine interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 28: Max Brosmer #16 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is sacked in the first half by Mason Graham #55 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Another Michigan man. It’s tough to argue against drafting the best defensive tackle if that option is on the table. For the Raiders at No. 6, it very well might be.

Mason Graham finished with 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season in the maize and blue. The 6-foot-3, 296 pound defensive tackle could help Las Vegas toward recreating the Philadelphia Eagles‘ blueprint that smothered Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s Super Bowl.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 5 best first-round NFL draft picks the Raiders could make