4 QBs the Las Vegas Raiders could target in the 2025 NFL Draft
Now the Las Vegas Raiders have settled on Pete Carroll as the next head coach to take them forward, the picture becomes a little clearer as to how the next incarnation of the Black and Silver will look. Carroll enjoyed significant success with Russell Wilson in Seattle, despite Wilson only being a second-round selection. He and his staff allowed Wilson to challenge predicted starter Matt Flynn in training camp and once the youngster unseated the veteran, the rest was history.
Carroll arrives in Las Vegas with a similar cloud hanging over the most crucial position on the team. Incumbents Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are not enough to dissuade the Raiders from having a heavy interest in either a bridge replacement or developing a rookie selection. Carroll’s experience as a college head coach means he has an excellent record of interacting with and mentoring young athletes. Could that mean he could unearth a gem in the later rounds? Add the factor of Tom Brady’s part ownership, and you have another set of experienced eyes to explore this class.
So, with all that said, who are the candidates most likely to interest this Raiders’ thinktank? Let’s have a look at four potential fits:
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
You can’t bet against the Raiders making a move up the draft order to take Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado. Tom Brady’s close relationship with the young signal-caller has caused plenty of intrigue and predictions that Sanders could be the pick in the first round. The big question mark with Sanders is elite arm strength, but Carroll and co. may not be overly concerned with that aspect of his game. Carroll’s long-term quarterback in Seattle, Russell Wilson, didn’t have the biggest arm, but his game management, mobility, and smartness ensured that the Hawks still prospered with him at the helm. A top-6 selection is rich for me, but the Raiders do need to make a move at QB, and Sanders might just be the safest bet.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Should the Raiders decide to hold fire and aim at finding a quarterback in round two or move back up into the first round, then Alabama’s Jalen Milroe will be a name to be considered. Some draft experts believed Milroe would have benefitted from another year in Tuscaloosa. However, his athleticism and game-breaking ability mean he should be a lock for a Day 2 pick. Milroe is a true dual-threat QB, who, due to his frame, you wouldn’t want to be tasked with tackling. He also has a powerful arm; the big concerns are accuracy and decision-making. If the Raiders took this route, you would hope they based their 2025 offense around the running game, getting defenses to load the box and give Milroe easy reads he can take advantage of.
Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
Perhaps my favourite match to make is Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. Carroll should have the inside track on the Rebels signal caller given his head coach in Oxford was Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has described Carroll as a key mentor in his career journey and I’m sure he has been more than helpful in giving the Raiders’ staff the full lowdown on Dart. Kiffin’s offensive system has been described as very QB-friendly, so it’s difficult to decide whether Dart is a legitimate challenger for QB3 or if he is more of a day 3 flyer. If Dart takes the Raiders’ fancy, you can be sure Carroll will pick Kiffin’s brains to see what concepts can be stolen from his playbook and transposed into the Raiders offense.
Will Howard (Ohio State)
Nobody had a better end to the season than Ohio State QB Will Howard. Not only did he become a National Champion, but he also excelled, throwing for 839 yards, six touchdowns, and only one interception in his postseason appearances. Having been ousted from Kansas State by Avery Johnson, Howard was seen as an ideal game manager for the Buckeyes to base their juggernaut offense around. However, as Howard grew into his role, he became much more than that; he developed into a key cog himself and put his name in the shop window for NFL teams. At 6’4, 235lbs, he has the requisite size and enough mobility to be a future starter in the league. While it may be a longer process than the names listed above, Howard certainly has the tools to succeed at the highest level.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.