B
Las Vegas Raiders
A passer of the future in Ward, and a B, for the Raiders.
by 1k ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 7 steals
· 0 reaches
Start where it matters. The Raiders took Cam Ward to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one. It does the job without flash, and the B reflects it.
On value alone, Thornton Jr. makes the weekend a net positive. A whole weekend of picks and edge rusher is somehow still a want.
They left with cornerback solved and the rest of the wish list mostly ticked off. Almost all the early capital went to that side of the ball.
Not a headline-grabber, but a perfectly good weekend's work.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 6th pick they get a franchise quarterback. A clean fit for the roster.
The board had Colston Loveland higher than the Round 2 slot, and the tight end fell to them anyway. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Jalen Royals in pick 68 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Zy Alexander at the 108th overall pick. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Steal is underselling it; Jordan James at pick No. 143 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
James Burnip in slot 180 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Jay Higgins at Round 6, Pick 37 is the proof. It adds depth where they could use a little.
You do not let a safety like Upton Stout reach No. 215 and blink. They did not. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Circle this one: Dont'e Thornton Jr. at No. 222 is a fall that decides a draft. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.