As the 2025 NFL Draft draws near, just two weeks away, the attention of the Las Vegas Raiders is increasingly focused on the incoming class of collegiate talent poised to make their mark on the league. This juncture provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the offseason developments thus far and to consider the critical questions that the Raiders face.
The upcoming draft represents a crucial opportunity to secure foundational players and address significant roster deficiencies. Conversely, other organizations, having proactively addressed many of their needs through free-agent acquisitions or contract extensions for existing players, will enter the draft with the flexibility to select the most promising available prospects when the selection process commences in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
In a recent NFL.com article, Jeffri Chadiha looked at the biggest remaining questions for the Raiders ahead of the draft;
Las Vegas Raiders’ BURNING QUESTION: Who’s going to be Pete Carroll’s bell cow back?
“Anybody who’s followed Carroll’s career as a head coach knows three things will never change: 1) his unbridled enthusiasm, 2) his relentless chomping of chewing gum and 3) his desire to utilize a punishing running game as part of his offensive attack,” Chadiha wrote.
The Raiders’ running back situation carries a degree of uncertainty heading into the 2025 season. While the team recently signed veteran Raheem Mostert, it’s important to note that he will be entering his age-33 season and is coming off a 2024 campaign with the Miami Dolphins where he averaged 3.3 yards per carry over 13 games. This relatively modest average, coupled with his advancing age, raises questions about his potential workload and effectiveness as the primary ball carrier for the Raiders.
Adding to the complexity, the two running backs who saw playing time for Las Vegas in the previous year, Sincere McCormick and Zamir White, both faced significant injury setbacks that ultimately landed them on injured reserve. According to raiders.com’s 2024 season review, White began the season as the starter but struggled with consistency before a groin injury sidelined him, while McCormick showed promise in limited action before an ankle injury cut his season short.
Chadiha notes that the Raiders have a big opportunity to answer this question in the draft. Mock drafters across the spectrum have concluded that Ashton Jeanty is the way to go for the team in the draft, but the depth of the draft class at the position may allow the team to address the position in later rounds, perhaps targeting Ohio State RB products, TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins.