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.
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
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.
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
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
