After overhauling the coaching staff following a 4-13 season, the Las Vegas Raiders made one of the most surprising moves of the offseason by trading for Geno Smith. Now that the Raiders have secured a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, their outlook for the 2025 NFL season looks much brighter.
The Raiders will be projected to win more games in 2025 than they won in 2024, but what about the future? While Smith is undoubtedly an above-average quarterback, he’ll turn 35 this season. Could the Raiders’ 2025 NFL Draft plans still involve a quarterback in the first round?
Related: Five impact free agents Las Vegas Raiders should target to fill critical roster needs
Could the Las Vegas Raiders still draft Shedeur Sanders?
Interestingly enough, the Las Vegas Raiders never signed Geno Smith to a contract extension after trading a third-round selection for him. Thus, as is, Smith is scheduled to become a free agent at season’s end. If he plays well, Smith could be looking at a contract worth over $40 million per season. That’s a sizable bump over the $31 million cap hit he’ll have this season.
While we know who the Raiders’ starting quarterback will be in 2025, what about in 2026?
Recently, ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid said “it’s a possibility” that the Raiders double down at the quarterback position by selecting University of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“After trading for Smith, they addressed their immediate answer at quarterback. Could they still select Sanders at No. 6 if he’s there? It’s a possibility. They could pair Sanders with Smith, the player many scouts have used as their pro comparison for him.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid on Las Vegas Raiders
With holes remaining at running back, receiver, corner and in the trenches, the Raiders are in a true “best player available” situation. This could also be a spot for Jeanty. With a team that seems to want to win right now, Jeanty would be a plug-and-play running back who could revolutionize the Raiders’ offense.”
While it’s easy to say the Raiders could still select a future franchise quarterback in March, Las Vegas could develop a different mindset by the time they’re on the clock at No. 6, especially if a home-run hitter like Ashton Jeanty is there for the taking.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Who should the Raiders draft in the first round?
