With the 2024 season done for the Las Vegas Raiders, most of Raider Nation has already begun looking ahead to the 2025 NFL draft. The draft seems to be Las Vegas’ most promising opportunity to address its most pressing need: securing a franchise quarterback.
The Raiders have been without one for over two years now (or longer, depending on who you ask), and it is clear the organization must be all-in on securing high-level talent at the game’s most important position if they ever want to escape the league’s basement.
Finding a talented quarterback in this class will be tricky, as it’s not notably deep. The Silver and Black may have to get creative in order to address this position. We’ll be exploring various ways in which Las Vegas could secure a quarterback in this draft, so this may not necessarily be a list of just the top quarterbacks. Let’s start with the best-case scenario.
What are the top two options for the Raiders?
No. 1: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
This one is obvious. Sanders is clearly the top quarterback in this class for a reason. His footwork, throwing mechanics, and football IQ are far more refined than those of most quarterback prospects, not just in the class but in general. The only “flaw” detractors might try to point out is that Sanders lacks any of the elite physical tools that a quarterback poised to go in the top three of the draft typically possesses.
However, the Colorado prospect’s size, athleticism, and arm talent all still meet the prerequisites to be a potential starting quarterback in the NFL. As we have seen this year, you do not have to be Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Patrick Mahomes to win a lot of football games in this league.
Regrettably, the Raiders could have potentially eliminated themselves from the Sanders sweepstakes. They sit at the sixth overall pick after a couple of wins late in the season. Even if they do not naturally fall into the position to get the top quarterback in the class, Las Vegas should still do everything in its power to get there via trade. Sanders is the only quarterback in this class with a top-20 starter floor. The Raiders could turn things around very quickly with him. Settling for anyone else would risk setting the franchise back by several years.
No. 2: Cam Ward, Miami
If the Raiders cannot get Sanders, Ward could be a solid consolation prize in the first round. His abundance of natural ability gives him arguably the highest ceiling in this class. However, his fundamentals are unorthodox at best, and he has not shown much of an ability to play within structures.
I feel like I’ve been watching draft tape on Ward for years now. From his Incarnate Word days to his transfer to Washington State and eventually Miami, people saw Ward as a potential draft prospect. He has consistently wowed on tape, without any drop-off in play, despite the increase in the level of competition. That being said, he also has not improved on the nuances of the quarterback position at all in that time. At this point, it seems unlikely that he will be able to improve further.
Ward’s potential is highly unpredictable. That’s why I only gave Ward a ‘first round’ grade, while Sanders received a ‘top five’ grade. The challenge lies in the likelihood that Ward will secure a spot in the top five, if not the top three. If the Raiders win one or two more games this year, they may have to give up almost as much to get Ward as they would for Sanders. That could be a significant sacrifice for someone who is far from a sure thing.
Other possibilities for the Raiders…
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
If things do not work out with the top guys, Las Vegas could just take the best player available in round one and try to grab Milroe in the second. He is a tremendous athlete with some solid arm talent.
The issue is that he will have a major learning curve at the next level. The Crimson Tide quarterback is currently playing in what is very much a ‘college style'” system and would likely need to sit for about a year before being ready to take over. Even then, the Raiders would likely have to tailor the offense to him, similarly to what the Eagles have done with Jalen Hurts.
Jackson Dart, Ole Miss
If the Raiders get to this point, a lot has not gone according to plan. Dart is a player the Raiders could potentially acquire early on the third day to challenge Aidan O’Connell for the starting job. He is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback who can incorporate some designed runs, a skill that the Raiders sorely lack in O’Connell. His release is quick and he generally does a good job of keeping the football out of harm’s way.
Here’s some fun feedback on Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, from a longtime NFL scout: “He’s gonna be a major steal in the draft. Throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is kinda this lost skill in today’s game, but that’s what makes him so interesting. Get…
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 3, 2025
The issue is that while running is a big part of Dart’s game, he is not quick enough to be as effective doing it at the next level. However, relying more on his arm could prove challenging due to the roughness of his deep ball and the need for improvement in his mechanics.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Gabriel could be a viable option for the Raiders if they choose to accumulate talent and still consider a quarterback late in the draft. He has been extremely productive throughout his entire college career. The fundamentals of decision-making are all sound. He gets the ball out quick, on time, and accurately. Gabriel does everything you want a quarterback to do.
The problem for him is that he lacks NFL-caliber size, athleticism, and arm strength. It also doesn’t help that he is already 24. The Oregon prospect would have to literally be Drew Brees to have a lot of success at the next level. However, it could be a worthwhile endeavor.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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