The Las Vegas Raiders were defeated 15-9 by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. The Raiders dropped to an NFL-worst 2-12 and currently own the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A massive offseason awaits the Raiders, who are expected to draft a new franchise quarterback. Head coach Antonio Pierce is at risk of going one-and-done. We've conducted a seven-round mock draft that could serve as a blueprint for summer improvement.
Round 1 (No. 1 overall): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Raiders were forced to start Desmond Ridder at QB on Monday. Most of the season has been shared by Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew. It's abundantly clear that the long-term answer isn't currently on the roster. General manager Tom Telesco could receive an opportunity to select his top-ranked quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders has expressed interest in playing for the Raiders and it's expected to be mutual. Sanders was the best quarterback in college football this season. He's an extremely accurate signal-caller with the pocket maneuverability to extend plays and create off-script.
Round 2 (No. 34 overall): Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Tyree Wilson hasn't met expectations. Production and depth have been a recurring problem at EDGE. Maxx Crosby leads the Raiders in sacks with 7.5, and no other defender has recorded more than three quarterback takedowns. Finding an appropriate running mate for Crosby is on Telesco's offseason wish list.
Arkansas' Landon Jackson is a long defender with three-down potential. Jackson's motor is always revving hot and his functional strength makes him a valuable run defender. The Razorbacks standout is also capable of pinning his ears back and making impactful plays as a pass rusher.
Round 3 (No. 65 overall): Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Trading Davante Adams to the New York Jets created a long-term need at wide receiver. Brock Bowers has been a revelation at tight end. He'll be appreciated by the rookie quarterback, but further investing in the offense by drafting a friendly boundary target is a must.
Tre Harris is a big-bodied receiver who effectively utilizes his frame to physically dominate defenders at the catch point. The towering prospect accumulated 60 receptions for 1,030 yards and seven TDs this season. Selecting Harris would help Sanders prepare for not having Travis Hunter as his go-to weapon.
Round 3 (No. 72 overall): Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas
The Raiders have overachieved in the secondary this season, allowing just 208.3 passing yards per contest. Jack Jones is playing quality ball, but players like Nate Hobbs and Darnay Holmes are playing on expiring contracts. The Raiders need to keep investing in a young room that also has Jakorian Bennett and Decamerion Richardson.
Mello Dotson is a big-framed cornerback, listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. Dotson has been a total ball-hawk this season, recording five interceptions and six pass breakups. He'd immediately contend for a starting role in Vegas.
Round 4 (No. 103 overall): Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
The running back position has been a sore spot for the Raiders' offense all campaign long. Veteran Alexander Mattison is on a one-year contract and leads the team in rushing with merely 320 yards. Zamir White hasn't developed into a workhorse.
The Raiders must take advantage of a deep running back class. Ollie Gordon II blends size with speed and strength to showcase high-level abilities. Gordon would be an excellent bellcow in a revamped Raiders backfield that will also include Sanders as the new franchise QB.
Round 5 (No. 138 overall): Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
The Raiders' lack of depth at defensive tackle has been exposed with Christian Wilkins on IR. Aging veterans Adam Butler and John Jenkins are playing starting snaps right now. They're both scheduled for free agency and the Raiders need to get younger at the position.
Darius Alexander is an experienced prospect. He'll be at the Senior Bowl, where his intriguing skill set should be on full display versus big-school competition. Alexander projects as a rotational defender who'll offer his pro team quality snaps.
Round 6 (No. 177 overall): Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham currently plays a base 4-3 defense. That requires a lot of depth at linebacker. Starters Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo aren't guaranteed to return next season.
Eugene Asante has been a tackling machine at Auburn. The Senior Bowl-bound defender led the defense in takedowns throughout 2023 with 86, including 8.5 TFLs and 5.0 sacks. Asante hasn't replicated that form this campaign, and he'll be able to address those concerns in Mobile.
Round 6 (No. 212 overall): Caleb Ransaw, SAF, Tulane
Telesco should re-sign Tre'von Moehrig this offseason. If he doesn't, safety could be addressed even earlier. If Moehrig does return, well, Marcus Epps is also slated for free agency. There will be a rookie safety vying for playing time next offseason.
Tulane's Caleb Ransaw is a draftable prospect. A former Troy product, Ransaw has proven himself on bigger stages in 2024, recording 31 tackles and two passes defensed.
Round 6 (No. 216 overall): Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
Cornerback needs a double-down investment. Western Michigan's Bilhal Kone is a small-schooler worth familiarizing yourself with. The big-bodied Kone (6-foot-2 and 190 pounds) has totaled 16 PBUs and two interceptions over the previous two campaigns.
Round 7 (No. 217 overall): Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, OT, Florida
The Raiders have landed a pair of starting-caliber interior blockers in recent drafts in Jackson Powers-Johnson and Dylan Parham. Expect them to address right tackle this offseason, either via the draft or free agency. Florida's Brandon Crenshaw-Dixon possesses the size required to develop into a useful player at the next level.
