Mock Draft
12/23/24
7 min read
Las Vegas Raiders 2025 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: How Will Raiders Fix QB Problem?
The Las Vegas Raiders won on Sunday, but at what cost?
After a 19-14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Raiders lost control of their own destiny for the No. 1 overall pick. In fact, if the season ended today, the Raiders would now hold the sixth overall pick, dropping five full spots.
It's hard to tell a team of coaches and players not to win a football game, but the victory against Jacksonville could have drastic long-term effects on the franchise.
Still, the Raiders need to figure out how to turn this franchise around, and a strong 2025 draft class could make them a potential playoff contender in the AFC.
Raiders 2025 NFL Mock Draft
TRADE: Round 1, 2nd Overall
Raiders receive: No. 2 overall pick
Patriots receive: No. 6, No. 37, and No. 68 overall picks, 2026 second-round pick
Shedeur Sanders gets back on the field and finds Travis Hunter for a deep touchdown. pic.twitter.com/bUPlUGxD20
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) November 18, 2023
Pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado 
If the Raiders still want to take their potential franchise quarterback, they will have to give up a whole lot of draft capital.
Instead of just taking Sanders with the No. 1 pick, the Raiders will have to give up multiple premium draft picks to trade up with a team like the New England Patriots to jump ahead of other QB-needy teams. It's not an ideal situation, especially in a draft where the QB class is considered weaker than in previous years.
Still, if the Raiders take this route, they'll be getting a potential starting-caliber quarterback with impressive arm talent, accuracy, and competitive toughness to step into throws while getting hit to push the ball vertically. That's exactly the kind of quarterback the Raiders need to change the culture in Las Vegas, even if it comes with an expensive price tag.
Shedeur Sanders' Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Round 3, 73rd Overall
Pick: Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State 
After trading away so much draft capital to move up for Sanders, the Raiders need to be strategic in finding the best value with each of their remaining draft picks. Based off of the board using the NFL Mock Draft Database Simulator, Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. would be the best remaining player at a position of need.
Winston missed the majority of the 2024 season, but his 2023 tape showed an outstanding safety, particularly as a downhill defender. He's a terrific tackler with great strength, technique, and aggressiveness, rarely missing tackles. He also does a great job of triggering downhill to make plays on receivers on underneath passes, preventing additional YAC.
There will be plenty of evaluations on the extent of Winston's injury during the pre-draft process, and his lack of 2024 film could have him slide down boards. However, if he can return to form, he'll be a steal in the third round for a team like the Raiders.
Round 4, 104th Overall
Ajani Cornelius has some nasty in him in the run game, road grader. Powerful hands and excellent grip strength in pass protection. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets some looks at OG and OT in Mobile. https://t.co/3nDpAqZdIK pic.twitter.com/GWNzSxOAK1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 4, 2024
Pick: Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon
After drafting Sanders, the Raiders will prioritize continuing to invest in the offensive line. They'll likely explore veteran options in free agency while looking for some depth pieces in the later rounds of the draft.
Ajani Cornelius has been a tenacious right tackle for Oregon during the last couple of seasons. He can handle bull rushers with a strong anchor, and use his play strength and aggressiveness to bully defenders in the run game.
While he's a bit stiff and can struggle against bendy speed rushers, his competitive toughness and strength could make him a nice depth piece at either tackle or guard for the Raiders going forward.
Round 5, 139th overall
Pick: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
After working to protect Sanders, the Raiders can give him an excellent sleeper weapon in the fifth round by taking Pat Bryant out of Illinois.
Bryant had an outstanding year for the Fighting Illini, catching 54 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has an ideal frame for an outside receiver as well, coming in at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. Despite a larger frame, he's a nuanced route runner, using good footwork and eye/shoulder manipulation to get defenders to bite before burning past them.
There are other receivers with better overall athletic ability, but his size, route-running ability, and burst after the catch will make him a legitimate weapon in the NFL.
— James Foster (@JamesFosterNFL) December 13, 2024
Round 6, 181st overall
Pick: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
Cornerback remains a pressing need for the Raiders, who need to revamp their entire secondary. Western Michigan's Bilhal Kone might end up being one of the best sleepers at the position on Day 3 of this year's draft.
Kone has an ideal frame for a corner at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, along with excellent ball skills to play through the ball, coming away with turnovers and pass breakups. In three seasons, he's come away with two interceptions and 20 pass breakups.
The instincts and ball skills make Kone an intriguing late-round prospect. A strong performance in Mobile at the Senior Bowl could skyrocket his draft stock.
Round 6, 212th Overall
Pick: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
If there's a running back in this class that embodies the culture that the Raiders want to implement, it's Arizona State's Cam Skattebo.
While he's not the fastest or most fluid running back prospect, Skattebo has elite contact balance to stay upright through tackle attempts. His play strength and low center of gravity allow him to slip out of all kinds of contact to keep picking up additional yards from awkward angles.
Skattebo may not test well at the combine, but his play style fits great for a team in need of a change-of-pace power back.
Cam Skattebo's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
#SouthCarolina DL Tonka Hemingway kept flashing while watching their DB’s, w/quick wins at the LOS utilizing swim moves, hand swipes, chasing after QB’s as well.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 6, 2023
Listed at 6-3, 295, knifing through o-lines, showing awareness to diagnose RB screens. Not in draft, but good player. pic.twitter.com/DtLvv6gCRd
Round 6, 216th Overall
Pick: Tonka Hemingway, DL, South Carolina
Rotational pass rushers are crucial to any defense, and Tonka Hemingway could fill in as a depth pass rusher on the Raiders defensive line.
There are other more noteworthy defenders on South Carolina's defense, but Hemingway has had a solid career in his own right, generating 72 pressures in the last three seasons. He's a bit undersized, but has good short-area quickness and hand usage to be moved all over the defensive line to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
He doesn't have the play strength or size to be a full-time starter, but Hemingway can carve out a role on passing downs for an NFL team.
Round 7, 221st overall
Pick: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
With their last pick in the draft, the Raiders could focus on a player with limited physical tools but significant playing and leadership experience.
Jeffrey Bassa has been one of the biggest leaders on Oregon's roster during the last couple of seasons. He's an undersized off-ball linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds with limited length, but he has terrific instincts and finds ways to sneak into the backfield when he can diagnose plays as they're happening.
That lack of length and top-end play speed will really hurt Bassa's upside, but the experience and competitiveness will earn him a spot on a 53-man roster.
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