It was a stunning trade pulled off by the Raiders ahead of NFL free agency on Friday, adding quarterback Geno Smith to a team that was desperate for an upgrade at the position and reuniting him with new coach Pete Carroll, who had overseen Smith's resurrection in Seattle three years ago.
Back before he departed the Seahawks, Carroll said of Smith, "I love his story. He's taught me so much, and I admire him for the way he's handled the competitive part of this thing. He's taught us about belief in yourself and how powerful that is. As clear as an illustration of anybody that I can ever remember."
The addition of Smith, though, does wonders for what the Raiders might accomplish in next month's draft, expecially when it comes to addressing one of the team's other major weaknesses: running back, where Zamir White flopped as a Josh Jacobs replacement in 2024.
Indeed, help could be on the way, according to top draft naalyst Todd McShay of The Ringer. As McShay pointed out in the ake of the trade, the deal opens the way for the Raiders to take star Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 in the draft.
Getting questions on Pick No. 6 fallout following Geno Smith trade…
-This move wouldn't prevent them from taking Shedeur but don't think that was in the cards regardless.
Also, Don't be surprised to see a couple things from LV on draft weekend:
-RB Jeanty at 6.
-And QB Will…
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) March 8, 2025
"Getting questions on Pick No. 6 fallout following Geno Smith trade… -This move wouldn't prevent them from taking Shedeur but don't think that was in the cards regardless. Also, Don't be surprised to see a couple things from LV on draft weekend: -RB Jeanty at 6," McShay wrote.
And even before the Smith move, Athlon's Luke Easterling had the Raiders passing on the quarterback crop in the first round this year and instead picking Jeanty.
"I'm not convinced it's a foregone conclusion (that the Raiders draft a QB in Round 1)," Easterling wrote. "It might seem crazy to think about a running back going this high, but the resurgence of the position is real (thanks, Saquon and friends), and Jeanty is an elite prospect who is one of the true blue-chip talents in this class, regardless of position."
Jeanty, of course, rushed for 2,601 yards to lead the nation this season
Related: Maxx Crosby Turns Heads With Emphatic Reaction to Geno Smith-Raiders Trade
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This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 6:35 AM.