If Aidan O’Connell is indeed your starting quarterback for next season, the Las Vegas Raiders need to add as many explosive weapons as possible via the 2025 NFL draft.
As we all saw last year, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco put up a masterclass in drafting. The Silver and Black walked away with two immediate starters in Rooke of the Year hopeful Brock Bowers and a future anchor along the offensive line in Jackson Powers-Johnson. These first two draft picks alone gave Las Vegas a pair of stalwarts. This year, Raider Nation expects the same from Telesco.
Luckily for all parties involved, there’s going to be a plethora of offensive talent to continue building the foundation. O’Connell will need to be surrounded with as much talent as possible unless something dramatic occurs in free agency (or a trade on draft day).
Raiders 2-Round Mock Draft: Getting Aidan O’Connell Some Help
Round 1: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
At six-foot-five and north of 210 pounds, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan is your prototypical NFL wideout; he’s got the size and frame you want in a No. 1 option. Jakobi Meyers and Bowers were the Raiders’ de facto top receivers this past season, but they need more.
MCMILLAN MANIA
A STATLINE FOR THE AGES FOR TETAIROA MCMILLAN pic.twitter.com/BoKfoADP4o
— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024
McMillan’s versatility will do wonders for the Silver and Black as well; he proved himself whether he played outside or in the slot. Regardless of who’s going to be running the Raiders offense, McMillan will flourish regardless of the alignment; X or Z, it doesn’t matter.
His receiving grade of 85.2, courtesy of Pro Football Focus, is nothing to scoff at. While the Raiders could go with an offensive tackle in this round, adding more weapons is just as crucial. McMillan will help stretch the field vertically just as well as getting yards after the catch via intermediate routes in the middle. It’s a win-win for Telesco.
Round 2: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
No offense to Ashton Jeanty but if you’re the Raiders, you can add a running back without using a first-round pick. The backfield needs to be addressed; no matter how you want to look at it, Zamir White was not what was advertised and none of the current backs on the roster are viable long-term options. Omarion Hampton from North Carolina gives you an explosive runner who’s dangerous out in the open with notable field vision and will make the first defender miss.
Certain CFB players/prospects within the first 5 mins of watching you just know they’re gonna be good and can move on. That’s Omarion Hampton. He pops off the screen. I don’t even need to see anything else, he good. pic.twitter.com/8W2AN2sata
— PFOceanJJ (@FantasyFPete) January 6, 2025
The Raiders need someone that possesses size, speed, and power—Hampton gives you all of that; plus, he’s an excellent pass-blocker, which benefits O’Connell. Despite Alexander Mattison’s strong performance, Las Vegas struggled to secure a reliable running back. Still, you need a workhorse that can carry the ball almost every down and with Hampton, they’ll finally have someone who’ll live up to Josh Jacobs’ name.
Just imagine Telesco drafting two future Pro Bowlers with these first two selections.
*Top Photo: Las Vegas Sun
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