The Las Vegas Raiders are at a crossroads, but general manager John Spytek doesn’t get a grace period. Year 2 is about answers—fast—and the first one has to come on offense.
While you could argue that the direction in which the offense goes in will depend on who dictates the philosophy, talent is talent. Regardless of who becomes the next offensive coordinator and playcaller, the Raiders are lacking talent at a handful of positions. Let’s start with the most obvious, which is, of course, at the quarterback position. After that, whoever gets his name called on Day 1 will need weapons to help ease the transition.
With all of that being said, Spytek has the opportunity to truly build something special and begin laying the foundation for an offensive powerhouse.
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Giving the offense an identity…
Round 1: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore plays calm and on schedule, rarely looking rushed even in high-leverage moments. He sees pressure early and delivers a catchable ball with pace and touch that sets up yards after the catch.
That profile is why the Raiders drafting him would make sense. It is also why the margin for error is small. This is a true conundrum if we’re honest, and one that Spytek will face come Day 1 of the draft.
Moore is not a quarterback who needs chaos to function. He is a quarterback who is at his best when the operation is clean. If Las Vegas takes him No. 1, it is not drafting a savior. It is drafting a quarterback who needs a stable offense—solid protection, clear reads, and coaching that keeps his footwork disciplined. If that breaks down, the flaws show up fast: the deep ball can lose juice, and rushed mechanics can pull his accuracy off target.
The evaluation is straightforward: Moore will maximize a serious offense and struggle in a messy one. If the Raiders want him, the pick is only the first step. The infrastructure will decide whether it works.
Round 2: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Chris Bell is big, composed, and comfortable working between the hashes. He understands spacing, throttles down on time, and gives a quarterback a clear window on in-breaking routes. In a league that lives on third down, that skill translates.
Bell has made his money on go routes and intermediate possession catches, not a full menu of routes. He is not the type who consistently creates quick separation underneath, especially against smart zone defenses. Bigger, more physical corners can bump him off his path and throw off the timing, and his deep-ball impact has been up and down from week to week. Those issues matter because they decide whether he is someone you can count on every Sunday or a player you have to pick spots for.
The appeal is real: strong frame, confident hands, and body control that shows up on back-shoulder fades, underthrown balls, and collision catches. His alignment versatility also matters—a big slot who can stress smaller nickel corners and win in traffic.
The question is simple. Do the Raiders want a receiver who creates separation or one who dares quarterbacks to throw him open? Bell can work, but only with a defined role and real refinement.
Round 3: Austin Siereveld, OT, Ohio State
Assuming that he declares for the draft, Austin Siereveld would be a classic Raiders bet: take a big, powerful body and trust coaching to close the gap. At 325 pounds, he offers real mass and potential on the edge, but the league does not grade potential. It grades matchups.
His arms are shorter than teams usually want at tackle, so longer edge rushers can keep him at arm’s length and knock his hands away. He is not always quick off the snap, which can let defenders shoot inside before he’s set. If a speed rusher beats him around the corner, he can be late to recover. And when his pass protection footwork gets out of sync—how far he slides, how fast he sets, and how he handles inside moves—he becomes easier to beat.
If the Raiders draft him, the message is clear: they are buying size and betting on refinement. That only works if the plan includes serious technique work and tight weight control.
What do you think of this draft haul, Raider Nation? I know some will point to the lack of defensive picks in the first three rounds—but that was the plan.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images