Predicting Raiders' Early 2025 NFL Draft Big Board (2024)

The Las Vegas Raiders 2024 draft class wasn't quite what many were expecting it to be.

Rather than coming away with their franchise quarterback, they got one of the best overall players in the class in Brock Bowers. They followed it up with another potential Day 1 starter in Jackson Powers-Johnson.

There were certainly other positions that could have been addressed, but the Raiders took a "best player available" approach and it brought them a talented haul of players.

With Antonio Pierce removing the "interim" from his title as head coach and Tom Telesco showing up this offseason as the general manager, the Raiders will hope to win games with either Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew II at quarterback.

That's not going to keep the Raiders faithful from having an eye on the 2025 draft class, though. It could be a foundational event for this iteration of the Raiders.

Here's a look at what names would be atop a very early 2025 NFL draft big board.

The Raiders are positioned to be the most interesting quarterback team next offseason. The ecosystem is in place for a passer to really thrive. They have a strong defense and a group of pass catchers that includes Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.

They would be a great destination if a veteran quarterback like Dak Prescott, who is in the final year of his contract with Dallas, were to become available.

If that doesn't happen, they will be a little desperate to land a long-term answer through the draft.

Unfortunately for them, the same thing that makes them a good veteran landing spot is also the thing that makes it unlikely they are bad enough to be picking in the top five.

If they don't want to pay up for the top quarterback prospect, then Jalen Milroe is a name to watch. Milroe excelled at throwing the ball downfield and making plays with his legs last season.

He was tops among returning quarterbacks in passing grades on throws of 20 or more yards, per PFF. He also chipped in 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

The hope would be that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has learned some lessons from coaching Justin Fields and would be able to utilize Milroe's unique athletic profile to build a dynamic offense.

There's a lot of bluster surrounding Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders and the entire Colorado football program. At least one thing is legit, though: Travis Hunter is the real deal.

Hunter originally committed to Sanders' Jackson State program where he starred as a wide receiver and defensive back. He followed Sanders to Colorado and continued his two-way brilliance with the Buffs.

Hunter logged 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver. He could have an NFL future there, but he really shines as a cornerback, logging three interceptions, five passes defended and 30 total tackles.

The 6'1", 185-pounder is a smooth mover with sticky coverage. He's a special athlete with the ability to thrive in multiple coverages.

He went to the Raiders with the fifth pick in B/R's way-too-early 2025 mock draft.

After passing on corner early in this draft, Hunter would be the potential star the Raiders don't have in the secondary right now.

The Raiders probably won't finish with a bad enough record to just draft Cason Beck without trading up. Considering the pieces they have in place, trading up wouldn't be a bad idea either.

This year's class doesn't feature a slam dunk No. 1 prospect like Caleb Williams. The 2025 class hasn't been nearly as hyped as the 2024 one was with Williams and Drake Maye at this time last season.

But passers usually emerge and Beck has the tools to become a consensus first-rounder by next spring. The 6'4", 220-pound quarterback is a bit of a throwback as a big pocket passer who can push the ball downfield.

He runs Georgia's offense with precision and makes tough throws look effortless while playing from a mostly clean pocket for the Bulldogs.

That's one of the few questions for Beck and he might not really get the chance to answer it if Georgia is as good as we've come to expect. The few times that he's playing in a messy pocket or plays break down Beck needs to show that he can find answers and elevate the offense.

If he can do that, he could secure No. 1 pick billing and make it worth the consideration for the Raiders to move up.