Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

1.6 Ashton Jeanty
There are really only two ways Jeanty isn't electric as a rookie. He could have totaled too much usage recently, so he'd need a little bit of a breather before he bounces back. Or, he'll pick up a usage injury. Other than that, I think he's a top 10 RB from day one, and many seem to think he'll be top 5 from day 1.
Rookie Projection: 75 (good starter)
Ceiling: 90+ (All-Pro)
Floor: 70 (good starter)

2.58 Jack Bech WR
Big, strong WR/TE hybrid. He won't block like a TE, but he'll be too big and strong for many DBs to handle if they don't jam him off the line. He can play from the slot or outside. With Jakobi and Brock plus Jeanty, Geno Smith has some weapons.
Rookie Projection: 60 (adequate)(stat projection: 44 receptions, 590 yards, 2 TDs)
Ceiling: 70 (good starter)
Floor: 45 (rotational player)

3.68 Darien Porter, CB
Fascinating prospect. Was a WR, converted to DB, and became a starting CB. Absolutely electric athletic profile. Still adjusting to coverage, especially man coverage, and has to work on his tackling. Two things worth noting. First, he blocked a punt and a field goal. Second, his passer rating when targeted decreased from 139.6 in 2022 to 75.7 to 4.7 last season. He allowed 5 receptions on 17 targets in 2024. He did great work quickly becoming more sophisticated at the position.
Rookie Projection: 50 (rotational player)(occasional start, 2 INTs)
Ceiling: 70 (good starter)
Floor: 42 (special teamer/rotational)

3.98 Caleb Rogers, OL
Experienced player. Played all spots along the OL except for Center. Most reps recently at RT, but he's probably an OG in the NFL. High floor, low ceiling player.
Rookie Projection: 45 (rotational player)(stat projection: 9 games, 1 start)
Ceiling: 60 (adequate starter)
Floor: 30 (roster body)

3.99 Charles Grant, OL
What a fascinating player Grant is. He's fast, incredibly so for his size, pulls well, and was an all-state wrestler. Having played at William & Mary, he's going to need some time to develop. In this regard, he's probably the opposite of Rogers - needs more time, higher ceiling.
Rookie Projection: 40 (rotational tackle)(6 games, 2 starts)
Ceiling: 70 (starting LT)
Floor: 25 (practice squad/roster body)

Thoughts on the picks so far.
Jeanty - position of need, best RB in the draft, and arguably the best player available. I know RBs are undervalued in the NFL, but it's hard to be bothered by this. A-.
Bech - position of need, an NFL ready player, and someone who could be a real matchup problem. Probably not the WR many were looking for in Vegas, but I think he's a good pick. B+
Porter - position of need, one of the highest upsides of any CBs in the draft, but he's going to need some time to feel comfortable in multiple looks on D. B-
Rogers - position of weakness, an NFL ready OL, and someone who could slot in for Parham right away probably. In isolation, this is a C- or D+. With Grant, it's a solid strategy.
Grant - position of weakness, a fascinating prospect, and someone who can start to pave the way for a possible parting of ways with Kolton Miller. In isolation, a C. With Rogers, they're a B backage.

 

Good lord. Dont'e Thornton is 6'5, ran a 4.3 40, and average 25 yards per grab as a senior. He's explosive but has a raw route tree.
Rookie Projection: 38 (special teamer/rotational player)
Ceiling: 58 (good deep threat)
Floor: 20 (Practice Squad)

 

Tonka Hemingway DT
Tweener DL who played a lot in college. He defended 11 passes in his career, including 7 in 2023. Picked up 9.5 sacks over his last three seasons, too. He also ran for a TD. He's not young, so his upside is limited. More a pass rusher than a run stuffer.
Rookie Projection: 35 (roster body) (4 games played projection)
Ceiling: 50 (rotational player/pass rusher)
Floor: 20 (Practice Squad)

 

JJ Pegues DT
Lots of experience. Entered Auburn as a TE, transferred to Ole Miss and became an excellent DT. Pretty wild career stats, with 8 receptions and a TD plus 31 carries and 7 TDs.
Rookie Projection: 40 (Rotation Player)(11 games projected)
Ceiling: Adequate Starter (60)
Floor: 30 (roster body)

 

I'll be back to fill these in...

Tommy Mellott
QB who is transitioning to WR?
Rookie Projection: (Special Teamer)
Ceiling: (Backup)
Floor: 20 (Practice Squad)

Cam Miller
Rookie Projection: (Practice Squad/Backup)
Ceiling: (Backup)
Floor: 20 (Practice Squad)


Cody Lindenberg
ILB, injuries?
Rookie Projection: (Special Teamer)
Ceiling: (Rotation)
Floor: 20 (Special Teamer)

 

Tommy Mellott give shades of a smaller Taysom Hill. He ran a 4.4, is a WR/QB hybrid who rushed for 1000 yards and threw 31 tds vs. 2 INTs as a senior last year.

Cam Miller posted elite passing numbers as a game manager-type QB.

 

I think we added a starting RB, starting WR, and probably four more rotational players.

 

New Panthers WR Hunter Renfrow reveals why he took a one-year hiatus from the NFL before making his return - CBSSports.com
Pretty crazy story about Renfrow.

 

Quick Thoughts...
Jeanty #1 rookie, #7 overall in fantasy. I've seen him consistently in the top 10 of all fantasy player projections for 2025.
Bech #19 among rookies in fantasy. I see his floor as Ben Skowronek, who's a solid player. Similar sizes (6'3" 224 vs. 6'2" 215). Skowronek joined a playoff team in 2021, won the SB as a rotation player, and then had his best season in 2022 with 39-376. His ceiling is much higher.

Thornton #47 among rookies in fantasy. He's getting some love from analysts. One of his comps is DJ Chark, who played sparingly as a rookie before hauling in 126 passes for 1714 yards, and 13 TDs in the next two seasons. Even made a Pro Bowl.

Cam Miller #90 among rookies. I watched his highlight tape. He's a gamer. Monster numbers in college. Makes great throws. Has good legs. Miller went toe-to-toe with Shedeur Sanders in the 2024 opener. The Buffs came out on top, 31-26, and Sanders was awesome (445 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT plus 17 yards rushing). But Miller was 18/22, threw for 277 yards and a TD. No INTs. He also rushed 16 times for 81 yards and 2 TDs. He suffered an ankle injury at some point in the season, but he went wild running the ball in the FCS championships. Four games, 48 carries, 261 yards, 5 TDs on the ground. He also threw for 911 yards, 10 TDs vs. 3 INTs in those games. He was the MVP of the championship game, accounting for 4TDS, 320 yards of offense, and no INTS. Oh, and at one point, he threw more than 320 passes without an INT.