B
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders cashed the board's mistake on Higgins: B.
by FRANK ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 6 steals
· 2 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Jayden Higgins got past him. The Raiders do not have to explain a thing at the 107th overall pick. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B.
Every board in the league had Dart lower, and that gap is the story. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through tight end.
The roster is better shaped than it was, with edge rusher chief among the fixes. Nearly every premium pick went to that side of the ball.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the tight end spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 6 they get a disruptor off the edge at fair value. The biggest hole, addressed.
Jaxson Dart at the 37th overall pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They let TreVeyon Henderson come to them and pounced at the 68th pick. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A market-rate cornerback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Maxwell Hairston. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Jayden Higgins at pick 107 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Circle this one: Smael Mondon Jr. at the Round 5 slot is a fall that decides a draft. It adds depth where they could use a little.
The board had Jack Nelson higher than No. 182, and the offensive lineman fell to them anyway. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Jaylen Reed at pick No. 214 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. A minor itch, scratched.
A reach on Ty Hamilton in pick 218; the board had better options right there. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A linebacker of that caliber at the 224th pick is the definition of value, full stop. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.