Raiders draft 2025: Wrapping up Day 3

A review of what Las Vegas has accomplished this weekend

The 2025 NFL draft is in the books. Let’s review what the Raiders have gotten done:

No trades Saturday: After a busy Friday, the Raiders kept all six of their picks on Day 3. First-time general manager John Spytek had traded down twice in the second round. He went from No. 37 to No. 48 in a trade with the Miami Dolphins and then went from No. 48 to 58 in a deal with the Houston Texans. As a result, Las Vegas ended up with three third-round picks and 11 pick overall (they have six picks Saturday with to in the fourth, three in the sixth round and one in the seventh). The had three top 100 picks when the draft starter at No. 6 (Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty), No. 37 and No. 68. They had have No. 58, 68, 98, 99. on Friday night. Yes, the Raiders went 52 picks without making a pick spanning the first and second rounds.

Offense heavy early: The Raiders spent five of their first six picks on offense, giving Kelly new toys. There was a running back, two wide receivers and two offensive linemen n the stretch. It was interesting considering Las Vegas lost so many starters on defense in free agency. In the end the Raiders drafted seven offensive players and four on defense.

Can’t fill every hole:

The Raiders had 11 picks and they filled some holes. But they are have seem question marks remaining at spots like cornerback and linebacker. But there is some nice competition added. While top two picks, Jeanty and wide receiver Jack Bech should start right away, most of the draft picks are developmental types and that’s fine … as long as they develop,

Visits turn into picks:

The Raiders drafted four players they brought to their facility — Jeanty, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant and Cam Miller.

No veterans traded:

The Raiders were rumored to put up several veterans on the trade market, including defensive end Tyree Wilson, quarterback Aidan O’Connell, tight end Michael Mayer and running back Zamir White. But none were moved during the weekend. That doesn’t mean they won’t be traded at a later date, but for now they are staying in Las Vegas.

Fun late pick:

The Raiders took Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott, who won the Walter Payton Award last year that goes to the best player in the FC. He is expected to move to wide receiver and can move around. Some think he can develop into a dynamic receiver/returner and has been compared to Julian Edelman, who excelled in New England with Raiders part owner Tom Brady. It may take some time and Mellott may be headed to the practice squad as a rookie. But he will be fun to watch this summer.

Watch out for the last pick:

The Raiders didn’t take a linebacker until the seventh round with their final pick when they chose Minnesota’s Cody LIndenberg. He started for three seasons and stood out at the Senior Bowl. The Raiders will be looking for starters in 2026 and he will have a chance to develop.

Positional loading: The Raiders have needs everywhere, but they doubled dipped on multiple positions. They took wide receivers in the second, fourth and sixth rounds. They took offensive linemen on back-to-back picks in the third round and then they used picks in the fourth and sixth rounds on defensive tackles.

Lottery ticket: The Raiders’ first pick on Day 3 was an intriguing one. They selected Tennessee receiver Dont’e Thornton at No. 108, two rounds after taking TCU receiver Jack Bech. While Bech has a chance to start right away, Thornton is more of a developmental player. He is 6-foot-5 and he runs a 4.3 40 and is blazing fast. So, the Raiders see him as a potential vertical weapon. He is raw, but he can make big plays. He has a chance to take reps from 2023 third-round pick Tre Tucker if he can quickly come around. It makes sense that the Raiders added youth. Tucker is the only veteran receiver on the roster who is under contract beyond this year, although Meyers has a chance to get a new deal.

Versatile defensive linemen added:

The Raiders selected South Carolina defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway in the fourth round at No. 135. He is athletic at 284. He He can move outside as well. Hemingway is a developmental player who could get some rotational snaps early.

He also was used as a gadget weapon on offense and that could be a role for him in the NFL. Then, with their next pick (No. 180, in the sixth round) Las Vegas took JJ Pegues from Ole Miss. Spytek took his share of reaches this weekend, but Pegues seems to be a good value. He can play all over the defensive line and had seven touchdowns being used as a short-yardage fullback for Lane Kiffin last season. So, perhaps Kelly will take note.

Strong division work: Yes, the Raiders got deeper this weekend, but so did the other three teams in the AFC West. I thought the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are some some nice additions this weekend, I thought all four teams really scored big in the first round.

Favorite picks, non Jeanty division: We all know the Ashton Jeanty pick at No. 6 is the headliner of the Raider draft and I love the choice. But here’s my next two favorite Las Vegas picks — Bech and tackle Charles Grant in the third round. I think Bech is going to quickly become a fan favorite for his tough approach and he will be a solid player. Grant, from small school William & Mary, is a project, but he is a guy who can become a solid starter with some patience. Very intrigued by the Pegues pick too. There are question of his motor, but if he can put it together, he could be a solid contributor for the long haul.

Player to watch:

Third-round pick Darien Porter is a guy who can either be a stud or be just a guy. Raiders’ coach Pete Carroll loves him and has compared him to his Seattle star cornerback Richard Sherman. High praise, indeed. Porter is a typical Carrol corner at 6-foot-3 with 33,1/8 inch arms. But he is raw and has been mostly a special teams player. Let’s see if he can quickly develop at a need area for Las Vegas.