While a significant portion of pre-draft speculation has linked the Las Vegas Raiders to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, such a pick might be considered a luxury for a team with more pressing needs across its roster.
New general manager John Spytek has indicated a desire to model the Raiders’ team-building approach after the successful strategy employed by Howie Roseman with the Philadelphia Eagles. Notably, the Eagles have not selected a running back in the first round since 1986 and never during Roseman’s tenure as general manager.
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Michigan DT: Hightening Carroll, Harbaugh Rivalry
Conversely, the Eagles under Roseman have consistently prioritized the defensive line in the draft. This philosophy leads Vic Tafur of The Athletic to believe that the Raiders might lean towards selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham over Jeanty if he is still available when their pick comes up.
Speaking on “Unnecessary Roughness with Q Myers, “Tafur stated, “If Mason Graham is there at six, I wouldn’t be surprised if [the Raiders] take him.” He further elaborated on this rationale, saying, “I think they want to have that Eagles-type defensive line… That would definitely be a clear strength for them, the guys who can rotate in and out. There would be a lot of talent in that D-line, I think, in Mason Graham. So that could be a strength … so I still think he’s a strong option there at six, even if Jeanty is on the board.”
Interestingly, Graham spent the initial two years of his collegiate career at Michigan playing under head coach Jim Harbaugh, who now leads the Raiders’ AFC West rival, the Los Angeles Chargers.
This connection could add another layer of intrigue, as Raiders head coach Pete Carroll might find the prospect of acquiring a player familiar with Harbaugh’s system appealing, potentially using him to disrupt their divisional foe. The rivalry between the two coaches dates back to when each coached in the PAC-12, and continued while Carroll was at the Seattle Seahawks and Harbaugh was with the San Francisco 49ers.
While the allure of adding a dynamic playmaker like Jeanty is undeniable, the long-term benefits of building a dominant and deep defensive line, mirroring the successful blueprint of the Philadelphia Eagles, might ultimately be the more prudent path for the Las Vegas Raiders.
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