For all the anticipation of selecting a franchise quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders went with Geno Smith’s experience and handed him a two-year, $75 million deal. The Raiders instead used their first-round pick on running back Ashton Jeanty, continuing the trend of taking top offensive playmakers that started with Brock Bowers a year before.
Bowers led all tight ends in receptions and receiving yards in 2024, in a first-team All-Pro rookie season. Jeanty threatens to have a similar impact in 2025, as the clear leader in a strong running back class.
However, at quarterback, the experiment might be short-lived by default, with Smith already in his mid-30s. If he struggles slightly, the Raiders could finally be drafting a quarterback of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Raiders Predicted To Get Aggressive in 2026 NFL Draft
The trade for Smith was a complete success for Las Vegas, giving them the 15th-ranked quarterback last season, according to PFSN’s QB+ metric, after their starters last season ranked 20th (Aidan O’Connell) and 35th (Gardner Minshew II).
However, at 35, it might not be long before the Raiders have to go hunting for a quarterback, and if he slightly struggles, Las Vegas may need to get aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft and trade up. PFSN’s Mark Stolte envisioned a similar storyline for the Raiders and predicted they could trade up to select South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers at No. 6 overall.
LaNorris Sellers has all the tools to be the #1 overall pick in 2026. Such a fun player. pic.twitter.com/0fRXQJvoKU
— Ray G (@RayGQue) May 6, 2025
Stolte has the Raiders sending third-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks to move up two spots and beat out other QB-needy teams for Sellers, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 242 pounds with freakish athleticism and a cannon for an arm. Sellers’ athleticism drew Josh Allen and Anthony Richardson comparisons from Stolte, but he believes the 19-year-old is a better version of them when it comes to accuracy.
“LaNorris Sellers has room to grow,” Stolte wrote. “He’s not quite there as a passer or decision-maker, but he flashes promise in both. Still, I’d rate him above the college versions of Josh Allen and Anthony Richardson when it comes to accuracy.
“Sellers ranked 82nd of 156 in adjusted completion percentage at 74.6% — something neither Allen nor Richardson hit as full-time starters. I bring those names up because Sellers brings that same freak athlete vibe. He’s a dynamic runner who’s tough to bring down.
“Sellers’ ability to avoid defenders and extend plays will have scouts drooling. Even better, the Las Vegas Raiders still have Geno Smith, which gives Sellers time to develop before taking over.”
The buzz around Sellers isn’t just hype. Scouts and analysts have praised his tools, and several teams could view him as a franchise-caliber talent. Whether Smith falters early in his Raiders’ tenure or not, he is not a long-term answer, and Las Vegas won’t shy away from completing the rebuild with a QB.
The South Carolina standout is coming off a great redshirt freshman campaign, during which he threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. While that kind of production is suitable for a freshman, he will need to do more in 2025 to convince the Raiders of selecting him, let alone trading up.