The Las Vegas Raiders emerged from the 2025 NFL Draft with a solid haul—but their approach to the quarterback position sparked valid questions about long-term planning. Despite being heavily linked to quarterbacks throughout the pre-draft process, Las Vegas ultimately waited until the sixth round to select North Dakota State’s Cam Miller. They also added Tommy Mellott, who is transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver at the next level.
That strategy makes one thing clear: the Raiders didn’t love the quarterbacks available when they were on the clock. Instead, they’re rolling into the 2025 season with veteran Geno Smith under center.
Smith, acquired in an offseason trade with Seattle, represents a clear upgrade over Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. He also signed a new deal that runs through the 2027 season. However, Las Vegas included a potential out in the contract after 2026—essentially giving them flexibility to move on in two years if needed.
Smith is a respectable bridge quarterback, but at 35 years old this season, he’s not a long-term solution. That’s why the Raiders are already being projected to make a splash at quarterback in the 2026 draft.
LaNorris Sellers Picked For Las Vegas Raiders Next QB
Multiple analysts—including Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network, Mark Stolte, and Eric Froton of NBC Sports—believe South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers could be the answer. Cummings and Stolte both have the Raiders selecting Sellers with a top-10 pick next spring, viewing him as the ideal developmental quarterback to groom behind Smith.
“Sellers is an uncommon talent,” Cummings wrote. “At 6’3″, 240 pounds, with 99th-percentile acceleration and cutting flexibility, Sellers is an unnatural creator, and his arm is live.” He added that Sellers could be the “Jordan Love” pick for Las Vegas—drafted to learn behind a veteran before stepping into the spotlight.
In 2024, Sellers showed why the hype is building. As a first-year starter for South Carolina, he completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,534 yards, threw 18 touchdowns, and added seven rushing scores on 674 rushing yards. His dual-threat capabilities, physical tools, and upside were enough to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
Still, there’s room to grow. Sellers needs to improve his touch, anticipation, and decision-making. But with NFL coaching—and crucially, time to sit behind a seasoned pro like Smith—those are areas that can be developed.
Froton’s scouting echoes that sentiment: “Sellers has the prototype dimensions and arm strength NFL franchises covet in their QB1. All the tools are in place for him to emerge in Year 3.”
If Sellers continues to build on his breakout season in 2025, he could not only declare early but become one of the most sought-after quarterback prospects in the draft class.
For now, Las Vegas will hope Smith can stabilize the position while quietly keeping an eye on the future. If the 2025 season doesn’t go their way—and with analysts projecting them near the top of the draft order again—the franchise may finally be ready to secure its next franchise quarterback.
And if Sellers is available, he might just be worth the wait.