The Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) are firmly in the running for the top selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. They trail only the New York Giants (2-12), who are currently in the No. 1 position because of their weaker strength of schedule.
Whenever a team is in that position, it means its roster needs a lot of work. The good news for the Raiders is they’ll have a high pick in each round of the draft, along with what’s projected to be over $110 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, to try to turn around their losing ways.
With that being said, the roster isn’t completely devoid of talent. Believe it or not, the Raiders have some intriguing players worth keeping around at every position. There likely will be fairly significant roster turnover, but general manager Tom Telesco isn’t going to completely gut the existing team. Here’s a breakdown of who it makes the most sense to bring back in 2025.
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Quarterback
Keeper: Aidan O’Connell
Analysis: O’Connell hasn’t proved to be a capable starter, but he is a quality backup worth having on the roster. Though he’s physically limited, he’s a smart player who can be depended on to step in as a spot starter if need be. And if the Raiders draft a raw rookie quarterback who needs some time to sit and develop, O’Connell could hold down the fort for a stretch next season.
Running back
Keepers: Sincere McCormick, Zamir White, Dylan Laube
Analysis: Although the sample is limited — he had just 39 carries — McCormick was easily the Raiders’ most efficient running back this season with 4.7 yards per rush before suffering a season-ending ankle injury Monday. He’s under contract for just $960,000 next season and can help fill out a running back rotation. White wasn’t ready for a role as a starter and struggled mightily, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry on 65 attempts, but he can still provide depth. Laube has flashed as a kick returner and can develop into a core special teams player. Whether it’s a veteran or a rookie, the Raiders need to add a starting-caliber back.
Receiver
Keepers: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner
Analysis: Injuries have cost Meyers a few games this season, but he’s been playing arguably the best football of his career. He’s averaging 66.8 yards per game, which is a career-high mark by 9.4 yards per game. Tucker has had a solid sophomore season with 40 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns. His role at WR2 is probably outsized, but he projects as a productive WR3. Turner had a bigger role on offense this year before suffering a season-ending injury, but his best work comes on special teams, and that role should still be there for him in 2025. Meyers is a good low-end WR1, but it would make sense for the Raiders to seek a higher-end No. 1 receiver.
Tight end
Keepers: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer
Analysis: Bowers has been the best tight end in the NFL as a rookie. Mayer missed several games for personal reasons and has had a more limited role as a receiver due to Bowers’ emergence. Mayer is in a much better place mentally, and the Raiders still believe he can take his game to another level.
In a league of his own. #ProBowlVote ➡️ @brockbowers17 pic.twitter.com/swTizhkm4K
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 18, 2024
Offensive line
Keepers: Kolton Miller, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Dylan Parham, DJ Glaze, Thayer Munford
Analysis: The Raiders did a lot of offensive-line shuffling early in the season but ultimately landed on a five-man unit of Miller at left tackle, Meredith at left guard, Powers-Johnson at center, Parham at right guard and Glaze at right tackle. Though the results have been only decent, it’s a young group that could continue to improve with more time together. Munford can be a reliable option as a swing tackle. The Raiders still should explore adding offensive-line help, but this group will almost surely remain on the roster in 2025.
Defensive line
Keepers: Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, Malcolm Koonce, Adam Butler, Tyree Wilson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Jonah Laulu
Analysis: The defensive line had high expectations, but the results never materialized. Koonce suffered a season-ending torn ACL ahead of Week 1, Wilkins suffered a season-ending Jones fracture after five games, and Crosby battled through a high ankle sprain before having season-ending surgery this week. On the bright side, the injuries opened the door for Butler, Wilson, Chaisson and Laulu to show they can be useful rotational players. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to run things back. The big question is what the market will be for Koonce, who’ll be a free agent this offseason.
Linebacker
Keepers: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Gainer
Analysis: Spillane has played at a Pro Bowl level since signing with the Raiders in 2023. He is one of the team’s most influential leaders and should be re-signed in free agency. The Raiders could stand an upgrade from Deablo, who’ll also be a free agent, but off-ball linebacker shouldn’t be high on their list of priorities. If they want to look elsewhere, they’d be better off giving Eichenberg and Gainer a chance to show what they can do as second-year players next season.
Highway robbery 💰#ATLvsLV | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/0PNdk23wmw
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 17, 2024
Cornerback
Keepers: Jakorian Bennett, Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, Decamerion Richardson
Analysis: Bennett was excellent this season, but a shoulder injury sidelined him after just 10 games. He also missed three games as a rookie. His leap is promising, but he needs to show he can be more durable. The same goes for Hobbs, who’ll be a free agent next offseason. He’s been an impact player at nickelback, but he has missed 15 games since entering the league in 2021. Jones hasn’t been as good as he was last year and needs to be more consistent. Richardson has been rated as one of the worst corners in the league since replacing Bennett, but it’s hard to critique him too harshly given the team knew he was raw and he was never expected to play this much as a rookie. The Raiders could still look to add help at cornerback even if they bring back this entire group.
Safety
Keepers: Tre’von Moehrig, Isaiah Pola-Mao
Analysis: Moehrig put together his best year right in time for free agency. He could get expensive, but he looks worth it as a versatile safety capable of stopping the run, making plays on the ball and lining up deep, in the box and as a slot defender. Pola-Mao has been just OK and is probably better as a rotational player. Marcus Epps was a good starter in 2023, but he sharply regressed in 2024 before suffering a torn ACL early in the season. He’ll be 29 next season. Especially if the Raiders spend big on Moehrig, it could make sense to go younger and cheaper at the other safety spot.
Specialist
Keepers: Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, Jacob Bobenmoyer
Analysis: Despite Carlson’s stinker against the Kansas City Chiefs last month, there’s no reason to mess with anything here. The Raiders still have one of the best kicking units in the NFL.
(Photo of Sincere McCormick: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
