C+
Las Vegas Raiders
A passer of the future in Howard, and a C+, for the Raiders.
by RaiderRich ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 5 steals
· 3 reaches
The Raiders looked at the value chart, folded it up, and took Will Howard at pick No. 30 regardless, 95 picks early.
The Schwesinger pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. Whatever Will Howard becomes, the front office has tied its fortunes to the answer.
The cornerback spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
If Will Howard and a couple of the gambles land, hindsight will be kinder than this grade.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 16th overall pick they get a lead back with juice, outstanding value to boot. A clean fit for the roster.
In pick 30 they get their quarterback of the future, though the board says they badly overpaid. A real need, handled.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Jordan Burch. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Xavier Watts in the Round 3 slot should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. It adds depth where they could use a little.
A offensive lineman of that caliber at No. 78 is the definition of value, full stop. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Pat Bryant in pick No. 142. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A real head-scratcher, Ty Hamilton in pick 169 is miles ahead of his ranking. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Carson Schwesinger at pick No. 212 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
The board fumbled Jonas Sanker all the way to the 222nd pick, and they scooped it up. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.