Draft grades are a cop-out, on paper. A year later, we find out which Las Vegas Raiders picks were hits and which were flops.
After one full regular season and a training camp under their belts, the Raiders’ 2025 draft class is finally ready for evaluation. All of these players still have room to grow, but their early trajectories are starting to take shape. A few practices into this year’s training camp, some are already making headlines.
The 2025 draft marked John Spytek’s first as a general manager. His debut class included 11 picks, with multiple selections in the third, fourth and sixth rounds. Given the Raiders’ history of underwhelming draft classes, it’s worth examining which picks look like hits so far and which already look like misses.
Round 1 – Ashton Jeanty: A
Before the 2025 season, the Raiders had one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL. Jeanty didn’t fully fix that issue, but imagine Zamir White as the alternative: the offense could have been far worse.
Some wanted Las Vegas to instead draft right tackle Armand Membou out of Missouri, but he allowed eight sacks and 33 pressures in his rookie season. Jeanty, meanwhile, exploded in multiple games, including a 138-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Chicago Bears.
The No. 6 overall pick looks to take another step forward behind an improved offensive line. The former Boise State Bronco has proven to be a successful selection.
Round 2 – Jack Bech: C-
Instead of selecting the top wide receiver on the board, the Raiders traded back multiple times. Originally holding pick 37, where Luther Burden was still available, Las Vegas dealt the pick to the Miami Dolphins, who selected Jonah Savaiinaea.
Bech didn’t have a successful rookie season. In training camp, all the hype went to the fourth-round wide receiver from this same draft class, and the former TCU Horned Frog also failed to see much playing time throughout the year.
During the 2026 training camp, reports have emerged of Bech struggling to create separation. He can still grow, and he offers value on special teams, but for now, Bech is hard to judge and leaning toward a miss.
Round 3 – Darien Porter: C+
Although Porter struggled in his rookie season, starting as a third-round rookie is notable in itself. The cornerback out of Iowa State needs to improve in several areas, but he’s already taken starting reps in 2026 training camp.
The Raiders also had a need at safety in this draft. Safety Xavier Watts was available 28 picks later and went on to record five interceptions and 96 tackles for the Atlanta Falcons.
It’s worth noting that Porter is still new to the cornerback position, so he should continue to develop. For now, though, he grades out as an average pick.
Round 3 – Caleb Rogers: B-
Despite former head coach Pete Carroll refusing to play him last season, Rogers showed flashes of talent when given the opportunity. Building on that performance, the Texas Tech alum is again competing for a starting job this season.
For a late third-round pick, competing for a starting role is a positive sign.
Round 3 – Charles Grant: D
Grant came from an FCS school, William & Mary, so he’ll likely need more time to adjust to the talent level in the NFL. He didn’t see the field in 2025, but he’s competing for the starting right tackle job this year.
So far in training camp, though, there’s been little hype surrounding him.
Round 4 – Donte Thornton Jr.: D
Wide receivers from Tennessee tend to struggle in the NFL. The Volunteers’ route trees are polar opposite of NFL-style route running, and many players aren’t prepared for the pro level. Thornton Jr., however, generated plenty of hype because of his elite combination of height and speed.
He backed it up early, hauling in the game-winning catch in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. But the success was short-lived. After that game, his snap count steadily declined.
In reality, No. 10 struggles with dropping passes and creating separation. His weaknesses have remained prevalent in training camp this year. Questions have emerged if the second-year wide receiver will make the 53-man roster.
Round 4 – Tonka Hemingway: B
The defensive tackle from South Carolina looks like one of the best picks from this class. On top of recording four sacks in his rookie season, Hemingway has drawn plenty of hype in training camp. He’s shown a strong work ethic and will compete for a starting spot on the defensive line, and he even won a team award this offseason for hardest worker in the weight room.
Veteran edge rusher Kwity Paye spoke about the young player in his press conference Tuesday.
“You see him every day … one of the first people in the building,” Paye said. “He’s been popping up everywhere on the field.”
If Hemingway builds on that momentum, 2026 could be a breakout season, one that turns this B into an A.
More: Why Ashton Jeanty’s mindset could fuel a Year 2 breakout
Round 6 – JJ Pegues: D
Pegues is another defensive tackle with upside from this class. Many were excited about his versatility after he played fullback and wildcat quarterback at Ole Miss, but not much materialized in his first season, and there isn’t much hype around him right now. Still, the two other picks in his round didn’t make the roster at all, which gives Pegues a slight bump in his grade by comparison.
Round 6 – Tommy Mellott: F
“Touchdown Tommy” resonated with many across Montana. Although he excelled at quarterback in college, the Raiders drafted him as a wide receiver. Hype around the pick only grew after The Raider Ramble’s interview with Mellott’s college teammate JT Reed, but the position switch proved too difficult, and Mellott did not make the 53-man roster.
Round 6 – Cam Miller: F
Similarly, Miller also failed to make the 53-man roster. He spent the season on the practice squad before signing with the Miami Dolphins in January, another failed pick in the sixth round.
Related: Quay Walker reunites with familiar faces to strengthen the defense
Round 7 – Cody Lindenberg: C
Seventh-round picks aren’t guaranteed a roster spot, so the fact that Lindenberg made the team and contributed on special teams is a positive sign. Playing time figures to be harder to come by this season, though, after the Raiders signed two starting linebackers in free agency. There hasn’t been much hype around the linebacker out of Minnesota, but that can change quickly.
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*Top Photo: Raiders/Getty