The Las Vegas Raiders continued their active offseason by selecting a new group of players in the 2025 NFL Draft, whom they hope will become key contributors for the franchise.
Leading this draft class is running back Ashton Jeanty, whom the Raiders selected with the No. 6 overall pick. While the running back position may not always be prioritized in the draft, Jeanty’s exceptional production at Boise State, where he amassed a remarkable 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, made him a compelling prospect.
But as big of a difference maker Jeanty can be, the most consequential pick came in the third round in cornerback Darien Porter. ESPN’s Mel Kiper summed it up perfectly.
“It’s easy to get excited about the offensive upgrades and forget about the defensive turnover, though,” Kiper said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Tre’von Moehrig and Robert Spillane losses could hurt. Darien Porter was the only defensive pick before Round 4. He’s speedy, but he’s still learning the cornerback position after switching from receiver.”
The Raiders did an admirable job patching the defense with veteran free agents, but none are high-level long-term options. Porter will need to develop and do it fast to ensure the defensive front gets the crucial time they need up front.
Considering the AFC West’s quarterbacks, the secondary is in for a cruel season.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s YouTube Channel
Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter Scouting Report
Porter presents a unique prospect profile, blending exceptional athletic traits with limited defensive experience. A one-year starter at Iowa State, Porter played as an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Jon Heacock’s zone-heavy scheme. While he set a school record with 64 games played, the majority of his career snaps came on special teams (970), compared to offense (53) and defense (694). After transitioning from receiver in 2022, he became a starting cornerback in 2024, though he was part of a rotation, averaging 35.4 defensive snaps per game in his final season.
Porter’s towering frame and track background provide him with exceptional athletic traits for his size. He effectively utilizes his length to limit passing windows in coverage, demonstrated by allowing zero touchdowns and defending eight passes over the past two seasons. Given his limited defensive experience, he can be slow to read route development. However, his extensive special-teams background significantly enhances his overall value; he is the only player in Big 12 history with five or more career blocked kicks.
Overall, Porter’s evaluation requires a degree of projection due to his relative inexperience. However, his rare combination of physical attributes and promising ball skills suggests the potential to develop into an NFL starting cornerback. A natural NFL comparison, given his rare size/speed and wide receiver background, is Riq Woolen, provided Porter develops a stronger competitive edge.