With Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty now rocking the NFL’s iconic silver and black uniforms, Sin City’s football team has the potential to have some serious star-power during the 2025 season. One of those players is the best running back prospect the league has seen since [at least] Saquon Barkley–click here to watch our full Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders video going into great depth as to why that is–and the other is a top-10 quarterback across the NFL, as per Pro Football Focus.
And yet, neither of the two managed to crack the top-three players for the Silver and Black heading into the new season via PFF. Perhaps that’s to be expected with the likes of Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins and Brock Bowers on the roster.
Crosby’s placement on the top-three Raiders players list needs no explanation. A two-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Defensive Player of the Year vote receiver, Crosby is the face of Sin City’s football team..
In each of his six NFL seasons, the Eastern Michigan alum has managed to total seven-plus sacks. His sack total rose to 12.5 in 2022, rising again to 14.5 during his ’23 campaign. Add another nine forced fumbles and 23 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage in the meantime while you’re at it.
On the other side of the ball, tight end Brock Bowers wasted no time cementing his status as the cornerstone of Las Vegas’ offense.
In 2024, during what was his rookie campaign, Bowers practically rewrote the tight end record books. His 1,194 yards was 118 more than any rookie tight end had ever totaled, and his 112 catches stands more than any rookie at any position has ever accumulated in Year 1.
Bowers ranked first at his position in both receptions (112) and yardage.
Don’t forget about Las Vegas Raiders DT Christian Wilkins, either
Although Christian Wilkins suffered a season-ending injury during the Raiders Week 5 contest against their AFC West rivals from Denver last year, Wilkins was enjoying a special ’24 campaign pre-injury. One where he totaled 17 tackles with two sacks while earning the third-highest grade against the run (80.2) among all players at his position.
Such production is to be expected with Wilkins moving forward, too. After all, there’s a reason why Las Vegas shelled out a four-year, $110 million deal to add him last offseason.
From 2019-2023, Wilkins was responsible for a total of 19 pass defenses and 20.5 sacks. Six fumble recoveries on the stat-sheet certainly didn’t hurt his team, either.
All of this is what landed Wilkins on PFF’s top-three Raiders players heading into the 2025 season.
For those who want to see more on the 29-year-old defensive tackle, you can check out our Christian Wilkins film breakdown video from his short-lived 2024 campaign by clicking here. Or, you can search for it manually on YouTube @ Ramble Digital Media.
*Top Photo: AP Photo/ Damian Dovarganes
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