NFL Notebook: 2025 Las Vegas Raiders Preview
The Raider franchise was once renowned for its “Commitment to Excellence” under Al Davis, winning Super Bowls in both Oakland and Los Angeles in the 1970s and the first part of the 1980s. Of late, that slogan is a punchline. Since the organization’s last Super Bowl appearance in 2002, the Raiders have had just two winning seasons, with ineptitude following them from Oakland to Las Vegas. They’ve brought in some big names, both veteran and rookie to try and reshuffle the deck in 2025.
A COACHING WINNER AND A VETERAN QUARTERBACK
Las Vegas swung for the fences with its coaching hire, bringing in a proven winner in Pete Carroll. The new staff includes Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, fresh off winning a national championship at Ohio State.
The Raiders then went to work at getting a quarterback and traded for Geno Smith. The 34-year-old veteran gets more consistent with age. Last year in Seattle, Geno completed 70 percent of his throws and generated 7.5 yards-per-attempt. He still makes a few too many mistakes, but Las Vegas now has a viable passing game.
That passing game is augmented with another veteran free agent in Amari Cooper. While injuries limited Cooper in 2024, there’s no reason to think he won’t be a good downfield threat. Cooper is a nice addition to a receiving corps that includes a reliable slot man in Jakobi Meyers, an emerging star at tight end with Brock Bowers and some new rookies, from Dont’e Thornton to Jack Bech.
THE ARRIVAL OF ASHTON JEANTY
Las Vegas has a good offensive line, with center Jordan Meredith and the left side of Dylan Parham and Kolton Miller all earning high grades at Pro Football Focus. There’s no spot up front that’s really a weak point.
All of which makes a perfect situation for rookie Ashton Jeanty. After finishing a close second in the Heisman Trophy voting last year and leading Boise State to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, Jeanty can be an immediate impact player.
The Raiders finished just 29th in the league last year for points scored. There’s every reason to expect substantial improvement this year.
MAJOR DEFENSIVE PROBLEMS
Now we get to the bad news. That offense better be good, because there are holes all over the defense. The front line of the 3-4 scheme is a complete mess. There’s problems at free safety and corner.
Maxx Crosby is an impact player at outside linebacker, grading out well and getting 7 ½ sacks in a year where injuries limited him to 12 games. Las Vegas will give third-round draft choice Malcolm Koonce a shot at the other OLB spot and Elandon Roberts was a good free-agent acquisition on the interior.
But Crosby, Roberts and (maybe) Koonce will be lonely warriors. Their playmaking ability will be limited if the defensive line can’t tie up blockers. A secondary that can’t hold up in coverage will neutralize any positive impact they make in terms of pressuring the quarterback.
The Raiders finished 25th in the league last year for points allowed. Even granting this side of the ball is Carroll’s bread-and-butter, they need a lot more personnel for things to substantially change.
OUTLOOK
Las Vegas is set at 6.5 for an Over/Under on wins. My gut instinct is to say they’ll at least get to 7-10 and go Over, and maybe even get in the hunt for a playoff spot depending on the defense. But this is a difficult division, so I’ll hold off on a final pick before we review everyone else. At minimum though, after a 4-13 season in 2024, and a miserable quarter-century or so, this franchise looks like it has some life.