A-
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders let Nolen fall and pounced. Final grade: A-.
by MIKE ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 4 picks
· 3 steals
· 0 reaches
Somebody in the 107th overall pick was going to get robbed, and it turned out to be the rest of the league. The Raiders sat still while Walter Nolen, the No. 12 name on the board, slid all the way to them, then sprinted to the podium. A near-flawless weekend of work, and a A- to cap it.
The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer. The Tre'Davious White pickup adds a known quantity to a class of unknowns. The dealing nudged the ledger their way without much fuss.
Cornerback was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.
It is a haul that will look even better come September.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 6 they get a ballhawk on the outside. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Taking Cam Ward in the 37th overall pick is close to grand larceny; a quarterback that good had no business lasting this long. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Somehow Ashton Jeanty was still sitting there in slot 68, and they pounced on premier running back value. It fills a real need, too.
A top-tier interior defensive lineman at a bargain, Walter Nolen in pick No. 107, plain and simple. It patches a soft spot without any drama.