The Las Vegas Raiders were loaded with capital during the 2025 NFL draft and were able to come away with 11 players in all. By all accounts, the Raiders had a strong draft, but did that help them in the NFL power rankings of experts?
I'm not sure you could have drawn up a better first draft for the duo of general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, who were lauded by many experts for their haul.
In fact, in a consensus of NFL draft grades, the Raiders sported the sixth-highest grade point average and had 10 grades of "A-" or better.
The team did not take a quarterback early on like many thought it would, but Las Vegas did manage to address several needs with intriguing prospects.
The most interesting pick the Raiders made by a country mile was running back Ashton Jeanty, who was chosen with the No. 6 overall pick. No running back has entered the NFL with the amount of hype Jeanty has since Saquon Barkley, and expectations are understandably high. However, he has the goods to deliver.
With the draft behind us, let's take a look at where the Raiders stand in the NFL power rankings of experts, and how much they either went up or down in each.
Raiders NFL power rankings
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 20 (+3)
Iyer: "The Raiders are a team to watch to make the AFC West even more competitive and give it four playoff teams. Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, and Tommy Mellott make their offense a lot more dangerous. The defense got all-around depth, too. Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly should be feeling great for their first season."
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 26 (no change)
Edholm: "If I had to select one team with the most individual draft picks that got me excited, the Raiders would be in the running for that distinction. Running back Ashton Jeanty should be a star. Don't be shocked if receiver Jack Bech follows suit, and perhaps quicker than you might think. The Darien Porter pick was a home-run swing at attempting to address the cornerback need. Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant help the O-line. Even a few of the Day 3 picks -- such as JJ Pegues and two FCS standouts, Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller -- had me clapping at home. What is the total package going to look like? Who knows? But Maxx Crosby chose to stick around, and he might just be rewarded for it (beyond the money, of course). Geno Smith adds professionalism, and I can't wait to see Jeanty, Bech and Brock Bowers go to work together. Even the defense might not be a sieve. We'll see, but there's some legit excitement brewing in Vegas."
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 21 (+9)
Davis: "The marriage of an excellent draft headlined by RB Ashton Jeanty, a veteran infusion on defense, arrival of Geno Smith to settle the quarterback position and – perhaps most important – new HC Pete Carroll's competitive culture should make the Silver and Black a far more competitive operation in 2025, if one that still has an uphill battle to escape last place in the AFC West."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 28 (-1)
Prisco: "They traded to get Geno Smith to upgrade their quarterback position. It's certainly upgraded, but how much? Head coach Pete Carroll is reunited with his old Seahawks quarterback. First-round running back Ashton Jeanty will be a nice piece for the offense."
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