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AFC Draft Rumors: Membou, Raiders, Titans, Jackson, Texans, Bengals, Jaguars

April 16th, 2025 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The top four teams in this draft seem pointed in certain directions, while value may tie the Jaguars to Mason Graham. At No. 6, the Raiders could go in a few directions. One of them could be an offensive line investment. Kolton Miller is entrenched at left tackle, though he is entering an age-30 season, but a question looms on the right side. The team could answer it at No. 6, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes the Raiders are giving strong consideration to leaving Ashton Jeanty on the board to take Missouri tackle Armand Membou. Although the superstar running back sits third on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (compared to Membou’s 12th-place ranking), the latter carries greater positional value. John Spytek saw the Buccaneers hit on Tristan Wirfs at RT in the 2020 first round; that move helped QB-turned-Raiders part-owner Tom Brady. Membou would give Las Vegas a clear-cut RT answer to help Geno Smith, though Jeanty would boost the QB’s thin weaponry cadre. .

Here is the latest from the AFC draft landscape:

  • If the Raiders trade down, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller pairs them with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. Residing as one of the top corners in this draft, Barron matches up against Michigan’s Will Johnson for the honor of best pure CB — behind two-way star Travis Hunter — in this class, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Jeremiah ranks Barron 11th overall, tabbing the ex-Longhorn as a player who can offer NFL teams the option of playing outside, in the slot or in the box. Johnson profiles as more of a straight-up boundary defender, though the recent slot CB payments underscore how high the league values perimeter defenders by comparison. The Raiders have a clear need at corner, having cut Antonio Pierce reclamation project Jack Jones.
  • The Jaguars could impede the Raiders on Membou, whom some teams view as a guard, or pluck Will Campbell at No. 5 — if the Patriots pass. Jacksonville added some midlevel options up front in free agency, signing ex-Ravens spork Patrick Mekari and ex-Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey. The team still extended Walker Little (under since-fired GM Trent Baalke) and has 2023 first-round tackle Anton Harrison under contract through 2026. Ezra Cleveland is also back, but the Jags could aim higher by adding Membou or Campbell. This scenario is not one to overlook, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora.
  • Seeing some issues form along their front, the Bengals join the Jags as a team expected to invest in O-line help, La Canfora adds. The team has tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and 2024 first-rounder Amarius Mims, but center Ted Karras and guard Cordell Volson are in contract years. The team could use interior help, potentially via multiple reinforcements next week.
  • The Texans and Titans are also looking into O-line help in this draft, each scheduling “30” visits with Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson before Wednesday’s deadline, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Titans brought in Jackson last week, while the Texans are meeting with him today. The left tackle for Ohio State’s national championship-winning team, Jackson profiles as a guard at the next level. He logged 31 consecutive starts at guard for the Buckeyes from 2022 until the midseason shift last year, giving teams plenty of data from a blue-blood program to evaluate.
  • The Titans also met with Missouri wide receiver prospect Luther Burden, per veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky. Burden met with the team Tuesday and could certainly fill a need in Nashville, as the Titans have not made a starter-level receiver addition — their Van Jefferson signing notwithstanding — after losing DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd.
  • Houston also met with Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. One of the best run defenders in this draft class, Grant could be a player to watch for the Chargers and the coach who signed him in college. The Texans ending Jim Harbaugh‘s first season slides them three draft slots lower than the Bolts (Nos. 22 and 25) in Round 1.

First-Round Grades Elusive On Shedeur Sanders; QB Unlikely To Go In Top 10?

April 15th, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants are still doing due diligence on Shedeur Sanders, being set to conduct a private workout with the Colorado star in Boulder on Thursday. But it is undeniable that Sanders’ stock has slipped during the pre-draft process.

No longer being mocked consistently in the top three, despite the Browns and Giants‘ QB needs, Sanders now may need to be patient. The Browns and Giants are not expected to draft him, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer, who notes it could be a surprise if the Raiders, Jets and Saints (Nos. 6, 7 and 9, respectively) prevented him from falling out of the top 10.

This runs counter to a late-March report indicating Sanders was unlikely to fall out of the top 10, but the consensus appears to be changing. We heard recently a New Orleans landing may not be too likely, though that report emerged before Derek Carr‘s prospective surgery became public. Sanders and Travis Hunter dined with Browns brass before Colorado’s pro day, but Cleveland has been viewed as more likely to draft the two-way dynamo at No. 2. This would leave Abdul Carter for the Giants, even as the team rosters Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux already.

Coaches and scouts are not seeing enough to justify an early-first-round pick on tape, Breer adds, with many not grading him as a first-round talent. Although Sanders’ accuracy has drawn praise, his penchant for taking sacks offers a negation. The two-year Buffaloes starter also has not displayed high-end arm strength on tape, and despite his father being one of the greatest players in NFL history, Shedeur is not viewed as particularly athletic. That has created concerns about a QB-needy team making him its new franchise centerpiece via a top-10 investment.

Potential concerns about Deion Sanders’ involvement in his son’s career are natural for teams, but Breer and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline have attempted to explain NFL staffers’ issues with the quarterback from a strictly on-field standpoint. Despite Shedeur’s 37:10 TD-INT ratio last season, he finished with negative rushing yards — due both to taking sacks and not contributing heavily as a rusher. Sanders’ fundamentals are drawing scrutiny, per Pauline, though he adds the QB’s toughness has garnered praise.

We have heard some teams have Jaxson Dart graded higher than Sanders on this year’s board, and Breer adds it might take owner involvement to ensure Sanders becomes a first-round pick. The 2022 draft brought what was viewed at the time as a significant slide, with Malik Willis dropping from likely first-round pick to 86th overall. It would still be shocking if Sanders experienced a comparable tumble as part of the latest maligned QB class, but a top-10 investment now may be unlikely. That will create major questions as to where Sanders will wind up.

Holding the No. 21 overall pick, the Steelers have hosted Sanders on a “30” visit. Of course, a host of non-QB-needy teams picking between the Saints and Raiders opens the door to a potential trade-up move. The Browns and Giants could have a window to move back in, though if the teams do not hold Sanders in much higher regard compared to this draft’s other second-tier QBs (Dart, Quinn Ewers, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe), waiting on them may be the play rather than handing over notable draft capital in a Sanders-based trade. Plenty of Giants-Sanders connections emerged during the pre-draft process, but a year after Big Blue was tied closely to J.J. McCarthy only to pass on him, some are doubting the Giants like Sanders all that much.

Unless Cleveland and New York are conducting elaborate smokescreens, Sanders likely will be in for a wait next week. This would open the door to teams like the Raiders and Jets adding Sanders as a high-end developmental option behind established starters. Beyond that, this draft will become quite interesting at QB after the Titans take Cam Ward — as they are widely expected to — to open the event.

Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Named Assistant GM At Eastern Michigan

April 15th, 2025 at 9:06pm CST by Ely Allen

For a moment this offseason, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby made news by signing an extension that made him, for a short time, the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Although Myles Garrett and Ja’Marr Chase have stolen that title since, Crosby is making headlines again, though, in a less lucrative way. Yesterday, Eastern Michigan University announced that Crosby had been named assistant general manager of EMU football.

First off, there is precedent for this type of situation. Though Crosby is the first active NFL player to man an administrative role for his alma mater, active NBA players Steph Curry (Davidson), Trae Young (Oklahoma), and Terance Mann (Florida State) have all been named to assistant GM roles for their respective alma maters, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mike Klis of 9NEWS adds that Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles similarly holds a director of player development role for Legend HS in Parker, CO, a nearby suburb of Denver.

Secondly, while the university’s announcement claims that Crosby “will assist with evaluating high school and transfer portal prospects and help manage the team’s NIL/revenue share budget,” serving as well as special assistant to the Athletic Director on fundraising, alumni relations, and student-athlete support, the jobs appear to be fairly nominal.

Likely, instead of performing continuous talent evaluation, fundraising, and accounting tasks, Crosby will be asked to show up for certain events to assist the athletic department. Further supporting this theory, the same announcement informed of a “Maxx Match” program, in which he’ll match donations (up to $100K) made before the end of May to EMU football. They also announced that the weakside defensive end position, traditionally listed on the depth chart as the “LEO” position, has been renamed to the “MAXX” position. Finally, they announced that the team’s top edge rusher each season will wear jersey No. 92 as a tribute to Crosby, who wore the same number when he was an Eagle.

The new title should have no effect on his responsibilities in the NFL. Crosby may be tasked with a few more responsibilities in the NFL’s offseason, but his time remains with the Raiders as he plays out his new contract.

Jakobi Meyers Open To Raiders Extension

April 14th, 2025 at 4:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jakobi Meyers has operated as a central contributor to the Raiders’ passing attack during his two years with the team. The veteran wideout has received 235 targets since the start of last season, and he should again handle a heavy workload in 2025.

The upcoming campaign represents the final one of Meyers’ current contract, however. The 2023 free agent signing is owed $11MM in 2025, including a $10.5MM base salary. None of that is guaranteed, however, meaning Meyers could be among the next Raiders in line to receive an extension from the new Pete Carroll-John Spytek regime.

On that note, ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reports Meyers is open to a new deal based on his desire to remain in Vegas for the long term. The 28-year-old is set to carry a cap charge of $14.99MM next year, and it could be lowered by an extension. Meyers joined the Raiders on an $11MM-per-year deal, and he has delivered strong value with an average of 11.6 yards per reception and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The former UDFA set a new career high with 1,027 yards last year, and he will be expected to have another productive campaign with the recently-extended Geno Smith at quarterback.

The Raiders added to their skill position group last year with tight end Brock Bowers. His stellar rookie season has led to high expectations for 2025 and beyond, but Vegas could be in the market for multiple moves at the receiver spot. Signing a veteran in free agency in addition to selecting a rookie next week is on the table. Against that backdrop, Spytek’s comments on in-house extensions with members of his new team leave the door open to a new Meyers commitment.

“You see it every year. Guys get to the end of their deal and it gets more expensive,” Spytek said. “Guys that you want to do a deal [with], and it makes sense, then you do it… I’m big into knowing the person before throwing out huge contracts. It will take some time, but I’m looking forward to getting to know all the guys on the roster and figure out the right way to build it.”

The Raiders – a team which has not made a free agent WR addition yet – traded away Davante Adams before the deadline in 2024, but as Meyers interest picked up they preferred to keep him in place. The latter could be retained beyond the coming season if his view on an extension is reciprocated, and it will be interesting to see if that proves to be the case.

Tom Brady’s Arrival Increased Pete Carroll’s Raiders Interest

April 13th, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Joining the Patriots months after Pete Carroll‘s ouster, Tom Brady later led the team to a last-second win over Carroll’s Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. The decades-long NFL presences are now working together in an attempt to revitalize the Raiders, with each carrying significant personnel say in a setup that also includes ex-Brady college teammate/Buccaneers coworker John Spytek as GM.

Carroll agreed to join a team that finished 4-13 in 2024. More importantly, the Raiders had become a chaotic operation in recent years. Counting interim leaders, Carroll is the team’s fifth head coach this decade. The team also fired Dave Ziegler after less than two years on the job and then canned Tom Telesco, despite the ex-Charger GM’s Brock Bowers selection, after one season. This instability did not make the Raider job especially appealing to Carroll.

While the 73-year-old coach wanted to return to the NFL, he would not have done so merely to take any available job. The Raiders were not previously near the top of Carroll’s list of return destinations, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore notes. Brady being approved as Raiders minority owner changed the equation for the former Jets, Patriots and Seahawks HC, who said the retired QB’s addition “shifted my thought about what this opportunity was about.”

This job does not feature Carroll installed as a final-say presence in the Raiders’ building. The current Raiders party line points to the three power brokers collaborating, though given how much Mark Davis has praised Brady and involved him in personnel matters, it would not shock if the inexperienced front office presence holds that hammer. In Brady, Davis has a decision-maker who does not have to worry about operating through self-preservation, seeing as he is an owner rather than a top executive or coaching staff presence. This provides Brady stability, and he has been at the heart of the Raiders’ top moves this offseason.

“It brought somebody with football acumen into the organization at the top level,” Davis said of Brady’s role. “Somebody that wasn’t going to be on a five-year contract or a 10-year contract. This was a lifetime deal.”

Although the Raiders could not close deals on Ben Johnson or Matthew Stafford, they came up with a Carroll-Geno Smith reunion. Spytek certainly could owe his GM opportunity to Brady, his Michigan teammate and someone who overlapped with the future Hall of Famer’s three-year Tampa stay. Spytek is now, by a considerable degree, the lowest-profile part of the Raiders’ power trio. It will be interesting to see the level of input Spytek carries, as Carroll spent 14 years holding the anvil in Seattle and Brady has been one of the more hands-on ownership presences — by design — in recent NFL history.

Spytek and Carroll will run the day-to-day operations, Bonsignore adds. Brady also wants the Raiders to make substantial commitments to analytics and game management. They will attempt to do so during the tenure of a historically old head coach.

Set to turn 74 in September, Carroll will soon become the oldest HC in NFL history. He has a three-year deal, which is shorter than standard coaching contracts, to stabilize this Raiders operation. Brady will play a central role in Carroll’s Las Vegas tenure, being perhaps the lead figure in determining if it will work out. But the 14-year Seahawks HC agreed to join a division housing Andy Reid, Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh due in part to Brady’s arrival.

“I didn’t know how he would be to work with,” Carroll said. “I just competed against him and listened to him over the years and had great admiration and respect. But he is really grounded in his mentality, and that’s what makes him so valuable to us, because we can draw from that.“

Raiders Could Both Sign And Draft A WR

April 12th, 2025 at 4:35pm CST by Ely Allen

While having a record-setter at tight end does kind of mask other shortcomings in the passing game for the Raiders, there still seems to be a noticeable need for help at wide receiver. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, help could come through both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft this offseason. Per Reed, Las Vegas is likely to sign a veteran receiver, but it won’t prevent them from drafting one, as well.

The Raiders do currently roster starting-caliber wide receivers in Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, but after the departure of Davante Adams last year, they struggled to find contributions from a supporting cast of DJ Turner, Terrace Marshall, Alex Bachman, and company. Besides Meyers and Tucker, the returning roster in 2025 combined for only 56 total yards with contributions from Bachman (31 yards), Kristian Wilkerson (18), and Ramel Keyton (7). The only addition to the group so far has been former Titans wide receiver Kyle Phillips, who totaled 259 yards over two years in Tennessee and didn’t play last season.

There are a number of impact options the team could sign before or after the draft, depending on the approach they’d like to take. Spending more money on more established veterans by signing Keenan Allen or reuniting with Amari Cooper could allow them to take a later flyer in the draft on a wide receiver who may need time to develop. Otherwise, Las Vegas could fetch a bargain on veterans like Diontae Johnson, Tyler Lockett, Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor, DJ Chark, or Tyler Boyd, which would put more pressure on them to find a more impactful rookie receiver in the draft.

The team isn’t expected to go after a pass catcher in the first round. At No. 6 overall, the team has been linked more to options like Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, or Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. More likely, Vegas could attempt to address wide receiver at the top of the second round, should they fail to land Allen or Cooper in free agency. At No. 37 overall, options like Texas’ Matthew Golden, Missouri’s Luther Burden, and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could all be around, as they’re all considered to be fringe first-rounders.

Las Vegas has nine draft picks this year, so they should have plenty of other options throughout the three-day event. Meyers, 6-foot-2, is effective as a reliable possession receiver who excels at getting open in the slot, and Tucker, at 5-foot-9, is a more dynamic speedster with some deep ball potential.

With that in mind, the team could opt to add a big-bodied red-zone target. Players like TCU’s Savion Williams (just under 6-foot-4), Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton (6-foot-4.5), or Arkansas’ Isaac TeSlaa (6-foot-3.5) could all be sizeable options as Day 3 picks. More versatile, mid-size options could be another area to look at for the Raiders. Prospects like TCU’s Jack Bech and Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor could be solid Day 2 options, while SEC pass catchers like Keandre Lambert-Smith (Auburn), Chimere Dike (Florida), and Arian Smith (Georgia) could be names to watch on Day 3.

However they choose to go about it, Las Vegas has plenty of options on the table for addressing their receiving corps. Whether they choose to bring in a big-name veteran and take a later flyer in the draft or sign a solid role-player and go after one of the draft’s better receiving prospects, there’s no shortage of possible combinations that we could see in silver and black next year.

Saints Notes: Sanders, Radunz, Mathieu

April 11th, 2025 at 1:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another Derek Carr restructure ties the Saints to the middling quarterback for the 2025 season and will make it costly to separate in 2026. As GM Mickey Loomis continues to delay a rebuild, New Orleans could have a potential opportunity to land a surefire Carr successor at No. 9 overall. Shedeur Sanders‘ stock has seemingly dipped during the pre-draft process, to the point the QB-needy Browns and Giants no longer seem likely to address their situations by taking the Colorado QB. If Sanders reaches No. 6, the Raiders, Jets and Saints await over the next four draft slots. Of that trio, SI.com’s Albert Breer pegs New Orleans as the most likely team to make the move.

Although this would be a historic development for a Saints team that has repeatedly used free agency and the trade market to address its QB position (last first-rounder: Archie Manning), NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill is skeptical the team would select Sanders at 9. The team has been closely tied to Texas’ Quinn Ewers, in a potential Round 2 move, and team brass dined with Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. The latter, however, may well require a first-round pick. For trade-up purposes, the Saints hold the No. 40 overall pick as well. In late March, Sanders was mentioned as a player unlikely to fall out of the top 10. If the Saints pass, however, that scenario would seem likely.

Here is the latest out of New Orleans:

  • Formerly in right tackle competitions in Tennessee, Dillon Radunz relocated to guard during the latter part of his rookie contract. The former second-round pick may be settling there with the Saints. Viewing guard as his top position, Radunz said (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) left guard “obviously” will bring competition in New Orleans. Regular 2024 LG Lucas Patrick joined the Bengals in free agency, clearing a spot opposite Cesar Ruiz. Radunz only played right guard for the Titans last season, but he logged 903 snaps there. Radunz’s one-year deal is worth $2.25MM, Terrell notes; it is fully guaranteed.
  • Tyrann Mathieu‘s latest Saints contract adjustment will lower his cap number from $11.3MM to $6.09MM, Terrell tweets. Achievable incentives are in the contract, which could allow the veteran safety to make money back after agreeing to a pay cut. The Saints will see Mathieu’s deal void on the final day of the 2025 league year, Terrell adds.
  • Changing coaching staffs, the Saints recently announced they are retaining Jahri Evans. The former New Orleans All-Pro guard is staying on as assistant offensive line coach under Kellen Moore. Evans, 41, had been an offensive assistant over the past two seasons, which stands to make this move a slight promotion. Additionally, New Orleans hired Jay Rodgers to oversee its edge defenders. Rodgers will come over from Atlanta, where he worked under one-and-done DC Jimmy Lake. The Chargers fired Rodgers late in the 2023 season, but that move came shortly after Brandon Staley‘s ouster. Staley hired Rodgers, an NFL assistant since 2009, in 2022 and had worked with him in Chicago previously.

Tyler Shough Visits Giants, To Meet With Raiders; Las Vegas-Quinn Ewers Buzz Persists

April 11th, 2025 at 12:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders’ Geno Smith trade and subsequent extension provides time for the team to determine a long-term solution at the game’s premier position. Smith and Pete Carroll‘s contractual timelines match up, and the Raiders have the luxury of steering clear of a maligned quarterback draft class.

The potential for the team to make its big move down the line has not deterred research into this year’s class. On that note, the team’s pre-draft process will include a “30” visit with Louisville prospect Tyler Shough, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Shough has already met with the Browns, and a Seahawks meeting is on tap. The Giants also met with the well-traveled passer this week, Schefter adds.

An Oregon recruit (well after Chip Kelly‘s Eugene exit), Shough migrated to Texas Tech and then Louisville during a seven-year college career made possible by relaxed transfer and eligibility rules. Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix‘s strong rookie-year showings highlighted the importance of college experience at quarterback while minimizing age concerns. Shough came into college earlier than both Nix and Daniels, debuting in 2018. A seven-year career probably does bring concerns for some teams, but clubs are still taking the time to find out information about one of this year’s better QB prospects.

Beyond Shough, Raiders Quinn Ewers research has continued to produce connections. We heard Las Vegas tied to the Texas starter in early March, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline confirms those persist between Ewers and the AFC West club. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Shough fourth and Ewers sixth among this draft’s QBs. The Saints have also been closely tied to Ewers, who profiles as a likely Day 2 pick.

Although Giants-Shedeur Sanders buzz has emerged, it has died down in recent days. The two-year Colorado starter no longer looks like a safe bet to land in the top five, where some QB-needy teams await. The Giants have made some insurance moves by signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and the Browns brought back Joe Flacco earlier Friday. Assuming the Titans take Cam Ward to open the draft, the Giants will have either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter on the board. This would represent a best-case scenario for Big Blue, though it would still leave a glaring hole at a position that has largely sunk the team post-Eli Manning.

Circling back to a player like Shough would be a dice roll for a Giants regime on the hot seat, but Wilson does provide some cover for 2025. New York holds one second-round pick and two third-rounders in this draft, providing a potential opportunity for the team to bring in a developmental QB.

New Regime Drew Geno Smith To Raiders

April 10th, 2025 at 3:40pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

At first glance, the surprising trade that sent Geno Smith from the Seahawks to the Raiders appeared to be about money.

It’s a familiar story in the NFL: a player wants more money than his current team is willing to offer, and requests to be traded to a new team who will meet his demands. That seemed to be the case when the Raiders gave Smith a two-year, $75MM extension a few weeks after they acquired him.

But Smith insists that the move wasn’t only about money, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. His relationships with key members of the Raiders’ new regime – head coach Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and minority owner Tom Brady – showed him the respect and opportunity he could have in Las Vegas.

Carroll forged a lasting bond during Smith’s career turnaround in Seattle, which included a Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022 and a three-year, $75MM extension in 2023. Though Carroll left the Seahawks in 2024, the two remained in touch as Smith navigated the ups-and-downs of a 10-7 season under a new head coach.

“I would call him whenever I got frustrated,” said Smith (via Breer). “He talked me through things, and he still coached me. And I think that’s what makes him such a special man, is that he was coaching me even when he wasn’t my head coach. A lot of the things that he was telling me, a lot of conversations we had really kept me steady throughout the season, and kept my head on straight.

In January, the Raiders hired Carroll as their next head coach. Two months later, negotiation talks between Smith and the Seahawks broke down, leading them to take calls on a potential trade. Seattle wanted to work with Smith on finding his new home and notified his agent of the Raiders’ interest.

Having Carroll as his head coach was a plus. So was the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, who tried to recruit a teenage Smith to Oregon more than a decade ago. The two renewed their connection when Kelly coached Smith’s cousin, star wideout Jeremiah Smith, at Ohio State.

“We never got the chance to be player-coach,” said Smith. “But I’ve always wanted to explore that. We’ve always had a good rapport with one another.”

And then there was Brady, the legendary quarterback who bought a minority stake in the Raiders in 2024 and played a major role in their organizational overhaul this offseason. Brady recognized the mental traits that will give Smith a chance at playing into his 40s, like Brady did, and his vote of confidence loomed large in Smith’s mind.

With excitement about the franchise’s new leadership and the prospect of a financial commitment past 2025, Smith realized that the Raiders offered the brightest future.

“I just thought the opportunity in Vegas, man, it was just too, too, too great to pass up,” he said.

Raiders Arrange Visits With Shedeur Sanders, Will Campbell, Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger

April 10th, 2025 at 11:14am CST by Adam La Rose

Set to select sixth overall, the Raiders find themselves in an interesting position as the countdown to the draft continues. The team could go in several different directions, and a number of first-round options are being examined through pre-draft visits.

Vegas lined up a large number of top-30 visits yesterday, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports the group included LSU tackle Will Campbell and Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham. Both prospects are viewed in the tier below presumed No. 1 pick Cam Ward and the highly-regarded duo of Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. Depending on how the Patriots and Jaguars operate with the fourth and fifth selections, though, neither Campbell nor Graham may be available once Vegas is on the clock.

The Raiders’ work also included their previously-reported visit with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The Heisman runner-up has frequently been mentioned as a logical fit for Vegas given the team’s struggles on the ground last season and resultant need to find a long-term Josh Jacobs successor. Selecting Campbell or Graham instead would leave a vacancy in the backfield (at least until later in the draft), but it would help shore up the line of scrimmage for a team looking to rebound from a 4-13 season.

A large part of that effort has been the acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith. The trade sending him to the Raiders was recently followed by a two-year extension putting him on the books through 2027, but the team is still interested in exploring rookie signal-callers. Among those with a visit planned is Shedeur Sanders, per Breer. The Colorado passer’s Vegas meeting will take place on Monday, he adds.

Vegas has previously been connected to Sanders, whose stock remains a key talking point in advance of the draft. A fall out of the first round is not expected, but the strength of prospects at other positions for teams not immediately in need of a signal-caller could lead them in another direction. Still, the Browns and Giants have been linked to Sanders interest, and his visit with the Steelers (set to select 21st overall) today illustrates the extent of his list of suitors.

Sanders is not the only QB prospect being looked into. As Breer notes, Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Ohio State’s Will Howard were present yesterday, along with Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. Those three passers face a wide range of draft outcomes, but Dart has gained steam for first-round consideration. Ewers and Howard are more logical targets if Vegas – now led by head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and (to a notable extent) minority owner Tom Brady – plans to wait until after Day 1 to add a quarterback .

Also present for Wednesday’s prospect summit was Carson Schwesinger, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. The UCLA product is seen as one of the top linebackers in the 2025 class, and he is slated to hear his name called sometime in the second round. Vegas owns pick No. 37, which could be used on Schwesinger based in part on how yesterday’s visit went. With respect to the team’s top selection, though, several options are on the table and are receiving consideration.

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