The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for the 2025 NFL Draft with significant anticipation following the recent hiring of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, who aim to steer the team towards a successful era. The Raiders hold nine draft picks, including notable selections in the first, second, and multiple picks in the third and sixth rounds. Key positions identified as draft needs include running back, wide receiver, and quarterback due to current roster deficiencies and aging players. Additionally, concerns about the offensive line and defensive positions such as cornerback, safety, and defensive line highlight the team's vulnerabilities. These strategic draft decisions are crucial for the Raiders to address longstanding team struggles and improve their competitive standing in the league.

The Raiders have undergone significant leadership changes with the hiring of Pete Carroll and John Spytek, following the dismissal of former head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco.

Las Vegas has nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, spanning all rounds except for multiple selections in the sixth round, reflecting a strategic approach to team rebuilding.

The team is in dire need of improving its running game, having had the worst rushing attack in the league, and must address this with new draft selections.

Wide receiver remains a critical area of need, with the Raiders failing to adequately replace former star Davante Adams, necessitating a strong No. 1 receiver alongside existing players.

Quarterback remains a concern despite acquiring Geno Smith, who is seen as a temporary solution, prompting the Raiders to consider drafting a new quarterback as a long-term strategy.

Potential trades involving key players like offensive tackle Kolton Miller could create additional gaps in the roster, emphasizing the importance of strategic draft picks for these positions.

Defensive needs are also pressing, with uncertainties in the cornerback, safety, and defensive line positions, requiring fresh talent to bolster the team's defensive capabilities.

The 2025 NFL draft is always an important event for every team in the league, but that is even more true this year for the Las Vegas Raiders.

After firing former head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco, the Raiders hired Pete Carroll and John Spytek to take over, and now the pair is looking to turn the page to what will hopefully be a successful chapter in team history after years of struggles for the franchise.

The Raiders own nine picks in this year's event, with at least one in each round. The only round Las Vegas has multiple selections in is the sixth, where the team has three. The Raiders initially had two picks in the third round but one of those is residing in Seattle thanks to the Geno Smith trade.

Let's take a look at where exactly each of the Raiders' nine picks are, and what some of their biggest NFL draft needs are, in no particular order.

Raiders 2025 NFL draft picks

• Round 1: No. 58 - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
• Round 2: No. 58 - WR Jack Beck, TCU
• Round 3: No. 68 - CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
• Round 3: No. 98 - G Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech
• Round 3: No. 99 - OT Charles Grant, Williams & Mary
• Round 4: No. 108 - WR Dont'e Thornton, Tennessee
• Round 4: No. 135 - DT Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
• Round 6: No. 180 - DT JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
• Round 6: No. 213 - QB/WR Tommy Mellott, Montana State
• Round 6: No. 215 - QB Cam Miller, North Dakota State
• Round 7: No. 222

Raiders NFL draft needs

Where do we begin?

Running back: The Raiders had the worst rushing attack in the NFL and currently have a running backs room that features Raheem Mostert and Sincere McCormick. That's simply not good enough.

Wide receiver: The Raiders never replaced Davante Adams, so a true No. 1 target is needed alongside tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. On top of that, Las Vegas' depth at the position is shaky, to say the least.

Quarterback: Even with the trade for Smith, the Raiders should explore adding a quarterback on Day 2 or 3. Smith is set to turn 35 this year and has never proven he has what it takes to get a team over the hump to big things. He's a strong bridge guy and nothing more.

Offensive tackle: Kolton Miller isn't taking part in voluntary workouts as he seeks to get a new or re-worked deal. If the Raiders end up trading Miller, it would leave a massive hole at left tackle.

Cornerback: The Raiders don't have a sure starting option opposite Jakorian Bennett. The jury is still out on Decamerion Richardson and Eric Stokes' disappointing career suggests he won't be the answer.

Safety: The Raiders lost both of their starting safeties from last season, leaving the team with Jeremy Chinn, who is on a one-year deal, and Isaiah Pola-Mao, who is unproven.

Defensive line: You can never have enough edge rushers and Adam Butler, who is slated to start next to Christian Wilkins, isn't a three-down player on the interior because of his lackluster run defense. On top of that, there are concerns about Wilkins' readiness for the 2025 season after suffering a Jones fracture last year.