When Tom Brady took over as the new owner and appointed Pete Carroll as the head coach, there was a ton of speculation about the direction the Las Vegas Raiders would take in the offseason. With the sixth overall pick, there was a high chance that the team could opt into a full-scale rebuild.
However, the notoriously competitive Brady went in a different direction. Trading for Geno Smith out of Seattle and refining the team on both sides of the football has made them a decent roster instantly. And one analyst believes they’ll put the finishing touches to becoming competitive in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Raiders Predicted To Instantly Revitalize Offense
Last season, Vegas was the fourth-worst-ranked offense on PFSN’s Offense+ metric. With Maxx Crosby on the roster and Pete Carroll now handling coaching, the defense should be a strong unit for the Raiders next season.
However, the offense needs more work. Adding Geno Smith should certainly give it a boost after he finished 15th on PFSN’s QB+ metric and had the fourth-most yards in the league with 4,320. But, that isn’t enough for Ben Rolfe.
In the latest mock draft from PFSN, he explained that the team could go a couple of different routes. “The Las Vegas Raiders have had an intriguing offseason. They have addressed several needs and are set themselves up nicely with the No. 6 pick in terms of their options.
“With needs at running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive tackle, they should be able to address at least one of those needs in this spot.” However, he believes going running back and selecting a Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty is the correct answer.
“Ashton Jeanty will likely divide opinion among fans and analysts no matter who takes him. We have seen that he is a devastating back during his time at college, but questions remain over the competition level and the value of a running back at sixth overall.”
But a Raiders team that didn’t find any answers to Josh Jacobs’ loss last season should still make the move. Last year, not a single running back tallied more than 420 yards on the ground for the team, the worst mark in the sport.
Jeanty was a supernova unto himself, tallying 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, plus a receiving score in 2024 while carrying the Boise State Broncos to a College Football Playoff berth almost single-handedly.
“Jeanty fills the Raiders’ biggest need and can be that dominating back for this offense under the Pete Carroll-Chip Kelly regime.” For the worst rushing team in the league last season, Jeanty would instantly revitalize the offense and make the team competitive, as Tom Brady has clearly shown he wants.
