Before we begin, yes I know the 2025 season hasn’t even happened yet, despite that I’m still going to bring my draft content year round starting with a 2026 Mock Draft. Currently the Raiders hold a total of 10 projected selections (original selections in rounds 1-7 and compensatory picks in rounds 4, 5, and 7 for the losses of Tre’Von Moehrig, Nate Hobbs, and K’Lavon Chaisson). There’s the potential they will pick up, or lose, compensatory picks as well due to Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo’s losses but also the impact of free agent additions Elandon Roberts, Jeremy Chinn, and Eric Stokes who are the Raiders main compensatory projections. For now, they have 10 selections and we will utilize all 10.
*Draft Order is based on current Super Bowl Odds*
Round 1, 7th Overall: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Younger brother of Falcons CB AJ Terrell, Avieon Terrell is extremely advanced for a 20 year old. At only 5’11/180 Terrell doesn’t fully meet the Pete Carroll requirements for size at CB but we’ve seen Carroll veer away from those before with Devon Witherspoon. Terrell is extremely athletic and fluid, which shows in his zone drops. He has elite speed with the ability to run in man coverage. Terrell posted 12 PBU, 2 INT, and 48 tackles last season as a true sophomore but the most notable was Terrell’s tackling where he missed just 9 and graded out as the highest tackling CB in the FBS. After allowing a 42.8 QBR his freshman season, Terrell followed that up by allowing a 70.9 QBR in his sophomore campaign. Overall, Terrell is highly athletic, extremely fluid, and plays with phenomenal physicality. Terrell has elite instincts and noticeably makes play to jump the ball in curl and hook situations.
I don’t think this pick needs much explanation, the Raiders have a CB issue. While I’m all for the team giving young players such as Kyu Blu Kelly, Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, and Decemarion Richardson the chance to develop and start they need a true playmaker on the boundary which Terrell can give them. He’s an exceptional cornerback, and would likely cement the Raiders secondary for a decade or longer.
Round 2, 39th Overall: QB John Mateer, Oklahoma
Mateer was a star at Washington State last season where he threw 3136 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 73% adjusted completion rate (64% traditional, but Wash State dropped 21 passes last season). In addition, he added an elite 5% big time throw rate and 112.4 QBR. Where Mateer made a ton of noise was on the ground, racking up 1008 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 149 attempts. Mateer is an ELITE running threat, with exceptional speed and elusiveness in the open field. He posses phenomenal vision, toughness, and overall instincts as a ball carrier. Oh and his 55 forced missed tackles, was not only highest among QBs, it ranked inside the top 20 OVERALL and is more than any NFL QB ever forced in a single season in college.
While rushing is nice from a QB, the main trait is what they can do through the air. Mateer possess an elite arm, with a ton of room for growth. Mateer puts a ton of touch on the ball and throws with exceptional velocity and accuracy into windows across the field, demonstrating the ability to throw to the opposite sideline and hash. Mateer posses quality and highly repeatable mechanics, with a short throwing platform. He’s only 6’1 but Mateer see’s the field well, has great IQ, and a quick feel for the game. The move to Oklahoma from Washington State will be a test but there’s a real chance for Mateer to cement himself not only as a top QB prospect but potentially the 1st overall pick.
The Raiders have a clear need at quarterback, Geno Smith is near the end of his career and he’s essentially only signed through the 2026 season. Mateer can sit for a season and fully refine his skillsets before jumping into the starting role for the Raiders in 2027.
Round 3, 71st Overall: ILB Whit Weeks, LSU
Weeks is a foundational player for the LSU defense, and he’s likely to make a heavy impact in the NFL the minute he steps onto the field. Last season, before suffering a season ending knee injury vs Baylor, Weeks posted 125 tackles, 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception, three breakups, and two forced fumbles. Weeks also added 56 stops, 25 pressures, and allowed a 98.9 QBR (down from 121.7 his freshman season). Weeks tackles at an exceptional level, missing on just 12.9% of his attempts and it shows on the field too. Weeks has good range with the ability to play sideline to sideline, while also having a quick first step and ability to come downhill and make plays on the running back in the backfield. He is used as a blitz specialist, where his athleticism and first step shines, while also having the IQ to break off of plays and drop into coverage if needed. He’ll need to refine his coverage, where he shows translatable skills but hasn’t put all the pieces together yet.
The Raiders currently have just Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg under contract in 2026, with the rest of the room becoming free agents of some sort. The Raiders have had moderate success drafting linebackers, but have often failed to take the risk on one higher than the 5th round. Weeks can provide a spark, and hopefully break that streak.
Round 4, 107th Overall: SAF Adon Shuler, Notre Dame
Shuler is only 20 years old, and has already played in 21 games at Notre Dame. The hype last season was on Xavier Watts, and rightfully so, but Shuler had an exceptional season starting every game and posting 59 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (one for a TD), 6 breakups, and a forced fumble. Notre Dame used him all over the place with Shuler splitting time at SS and FS with a little bit of NCB as well. Shuler has a good frame at 6’1/195. Shuler is a good athlete, who posses smooth hips, high IQ, and a general knack for the football. He’s able to play in zone and man, but will have to clean up the tackling after posting a 21% missed tackle rate last season.
The Raiders have Isaiah Pola-Mao signed through 2027, same with Jeremy Chinn. Despite this, they do lack a true centerfield safety which Shuler can provide. Both Chinn and Pola-Mao are hybrid nickel safeties that do best near the line of scrimmage, with Chinn even playing best in the slot. The Raiders have shown a liking for three safeties with Patrick Graham, and Pete Carroll has also shown that preference through his time in Seattle. For Las Vegas they continue to load up on the secondary.
Round 4, 135th Overall: WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
The Raiders might lose Jakobi Meyers in free agency next season, and they did invest in TCU standout Jack Bech to likely fill his shoes though that’ll depend on this season for Bech. Tre Tucker has flashed in preseason, and so has the 6’5 speedster Dont’e Thornton. Much like Thornton, new Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields is an athletic monster, so much so he may go even higher off that alone. Fields stands 6’4, 210 and is coming off back to back 800 yard seasons at Virginia. Fields has a close grip bench press over 380 pounds (24 reps of 225 close grip), has front squatted over 380 pounds with a 38” vert and 10-8 broad jump. Most notably however is his 22.8 mph GPS tracking and 4.33 40 yard dash during his time at Virginia (Fields posted a 10.84 100M in high school). Through all the athleticism, Fields has flashed on the field as well. He’s got strong natural hands and quality route running, he’s able to diversify across the field but has struggled to make a ton of high level cuts, which is a reason his draft stock isn’t as high as the athleticism suggest it should be. Fields has worked primarily as a power slot receiver, and needs to refine his route tree as well at Notre Dame to go higher.
The Raiders have shown a desire to get athletes regardless of position, and Fields meets that category. You can’t go wrong taking a swing on a highly athletic prospect, especially at wide receiver which Fields meets. There’s the possibility the Raiders resign Meyers and then the need for another WR becomes less, but for now they are projected to need one.
Round 5, 146th Overall: RB Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech
Stewart has played college football since 2020, but after suffering a season ending injury in 2022 he’s choosing to return for one last season in 2025 after transferring from Bowling Green in the off-season. Despite playing almost five seasons, Stewart has only recorded 398 attempts where he’s averaged 6 yards per carry posting 2377 yards and 23 touchdowns in his time. He’s 5’9/220 and most likely isn’t going to break anything over a 4.5 40 yard dash. Despite all this, Stewart is a phenomenal running back prospect, he possess an elite first step with great foot quickness and subtle hips. Stewart is a large back and seeks contact but he’s also forced 188 missed tackles in his career while also averaging 4.5 yds after contact per attempt. Stewart runs hard and shifty in space, he’s able to make some defenders miss but he’s a true short yardage bully ball RB.
The Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty, but they’ll likely lose Zamir White, Raheem Mostert, and possibly others following this season. Jeanty is an exceptional running back but the best approach in the NFL is by committee. Drafting a quality back that can ease the hits on Jeanty in short yardage situations is a smart approach for the Raiders in keep your franchise back not only healthy but fresh and avoidance of excessive contact.
Round 6, 178th Overall: ILB/EDGE Trey Moore, Texas
Originally starting his career as an ILB, Moore has adapted to the EDGE recently before then playing more hybrid in his first season with the Longhorns. Moore posted 105 tackles, 36 for loss, 22 sacks, nine breakups, an interception, and three forced fumbles in three seasons at UTSA. In his lone season at Texas (2024), Moore posted 35 tackles, 10 for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Moore needs to find a true position, currently playing a hybrid LB/EDGE position, and he’s best suited for a depth situational pass rusher at the NFL level. He’s posted 113 pressure in his career, and an elite 20% win rate. Moore has a decent frame at 6’3/240 but wins with his bend and first step which are highly touted. To really make an impact at the NFL level, Moore will need to get stronger in his lower half and be able to anchor vs the run while also developing his toolkit more. There’s no risk banking on an athletic EDGE rusher this late into the class.
The Raiders have minimal EDGE depth, and it’s not a position you either want to lack, or fail to put resources into. Taking swings on pass rushers should be a common trend each and every season for NFL teams. The Raiders have Charles Snowden, Andre Carter, and Malcolm Koonce all headed for free agency this season so EDGE is a rather large need.
Round 7, 211th Overall: NT Markis Deal, TCU
Deal could rise rather quickly this season as a foundational nose tackle. At 6’5/330, Deal has exceptional size and strength on the interior defensive line. He’s not much of a pass rusher, and played situationally at TCU but he’s shown the ability to defend the run at a really high level with 14 stops in just 190 snaps last season while also adding six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks with 12 pressures. Deal has elite strength and an above average first step for his size. Likely a limited pass rusher in the NFL, I wouldn’t expect Deal to make much impact in that front.
The Raiders interior defensive line is full of bodies and most are young/unproven. Through all that they lack a true nose tackle and can afford to invest in one late into the draft. In terms of pass rush, they have to go out and be aggressive in free agency or hope one of their young investments of JJ Peegues, Thomas Booker, or Jonah Laulu develops into a quality pass rusher. For now, they focus on anchoring the run.
Round 7, 251st Overall: SAF Jacob Thomas, JMU
Jacob Thomas has been nothing short of elite for the Dukes. At 6’2/220 he’s got an imposing figure in the back end and he’s been a high end contributor his entire time at JMU. In just 26 games, Thomas has posted 126 tackles, nine for loss, three interceptions, and nine breakups to go along with 36 stops and a 72.5 QBR. In 2024, Thomas allowed just four receptions on 14 targets while adding three interceptions and 6 breakups good for a 2.1 QBR, yes 2.1. JMU has moved Thomas all around playing him mainly at a nickel safety position but he’s shown the ability to play deep in coverage. Showing good hip movement and elite level instincts, Thomas projects as a good depth piece in the secondary, and a potential impact slot CB at the NFL level.
The Raiders need to add as many bodies to their secondary as possible, after already nabbing one CB and a safety in the mock, they double dip at safety and grab Thomas who can play in the nickel as well giving more positional flexibility in the backend.
