With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. The need for a quarterback is glaring, and one name stands out: Shedeur Sanders. If he slips down the draft board, the Raiders could seize the opportunity to secure a player who has the potential to transform their franchise.
The need for a quarterback
The Raiders are in a precarious situation. Last season, they were in a similar position, holding the No. 13 overall pick and desperately needing a quarterback. They had their eyes on former Washington star Michael Penix Jr., but the Atlanta Falcons snatched him up at No. 8. The Raiders ended up selecting Brock Bowers, who had a standout rookie year but didn’t address their pressing need at quarterback.
This time around, with a new head coach, Pete Carroll, at the helm, the Raiders have a chance to revamp their quarterback situation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has even linked them to pending free agent Sam Darnold, who had a remarkable season with the Minnesota Vikings. But is Darnold the answer? Or is Shedeur Sanders the player they should target?
Analysts weigh in on Sanders
ESPN’s Field Yates recently projected that Sanders could fall to the Raiders in his latest mock draft. Fellow analyst Jordan Reid chimed in, calling Sanders a “perfect fit” for the team. Reid emphasized that the Raiders are a franchise in dire need of a quarterback, and Sanders stands out as the most polished passer in this year’s draft class.
“I think it’s a perfect fit,” Reid said during a SportsCenter Special. “When we’re talking about the Tom Brady and the Shedeur Sanders connection, that’s an obvious one. This is a team that wants to win right away. No offense to Mel, but Pete Carroll will be 74 years old at the beginning of next season.”
Reid’s comments were not without a playful jab at Mel Kiper Jr., who was quick to respond with humor about his own age. “Jordan, a lot of days, I feel like I’m 84, pal,” Kiper quipped, showcasing the camaraderie among analysts while emphasizing the urgency of the Raiders’ situation.
Sanders’ potential impact
Sanders had an impressive college season, boasting a remarkable 74% completion percentage, the highest in the nation. His ability to read the field and make quick decisions could make him an immediate asset for the Raiders. “He has a skillset that translates right away on the next level,” Reid noted, highlighting Sanders’ readiness to step into a starting role.
With the Raiders competing in a division featuring elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, the pressure is on to secure a top-tier signal-caller. The AFC West is no place for a team to lag behind, and the Raiders must make a decisive move to avoid being left in the dust.
History repeats itself
Kiper also cautioned the Raiders about the lessons from last year’s draft. “They didn’t get the quarterback last year, Michael Penix Jr., right? Because they sat where they were,” he explained. “They had to settle for Brock Bowers—who, by the way, was my sixth-highest rated player. How’d that work out? Brock Bowers is phenomenal.”
This year, the stakes are even higher. Kiper urged the Raiders to avoid a repeat of last season’s missteps. “What happens if the quarterbacks are gone? What if somebody trades up and grabs Shedeur, like the New York Jets? Then they’re stuck at six with no quarterback, and Sam Darnold goes somewhere else,” he warned.
The urgency is palpable. The Raiders need to make a strategic decision. Is it Darnold? Is it Sanders? The clock is ticking, and the team must act wisely to secure their future.
The path forward
As the draft approaches, the Raiders’ front office is under pressure to make the right choice. They have a unique opportunity to land a franchise quarterback, but they must be proactive. The AFC West is a competitive landscape, and the Raiders cannot afford to be left behind.
Whether they choose to pursue Shedeur Sanders or take a chance on Sam Darnold, the decision will significantly impact the franchise’s trajectory. With Carroll’s experience and the right quarterback, the Raiders could quickly turn their fortunes around.
In the end, the Raiders must remember: history has a way of repeating itself. They have the chance to break the cycle and build a winning team. The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the Raiders must be ready to seize the moment. Will they make the right choice this time? Only time will tell.
