The Las Vegas Raiders have encountered roadblocks this offseason in their pursuit to find a head coach and then a quarterback. Both positions were eventually filled with strong additions, but now the club is running into similar problems at another area of need ahead of he 2025 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas first entered the NFL coaching carousel, with team co-owner Tom Brady striking out on his three top candidates before landing on Pete Carroll. The decision received mixed reviews but Las Vegas received high marks for its hiring of general manager John Spytek.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders close to contract extension with top player
After hiring Carroll and Spytek, the franchise turned its focus to finding a quarterback. However, a Matthew Stafford trade fell through when he decided to stay with the Los Angeles Rams. With Stafford off the table, Las Vegas pivoted to a Geno Smith trade. With a quarterback and head coach on board, the next priority has been adding offensive weapons but that effort is off to a slow start.
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders aren’t close to signing any of the top wide receivers available in NFL free agency. While it’s viewed as a clear position of need and there are quality starters available, Las Vegas instead might address the position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft, see who the Las Vegas Raiders select
The lack of activity on the Raiders’ part in the receiver market is surprising. Entering late March, las Vegas had the third-most cap space ($50.59 million) in the NFL. There are also plenty of veteran pass-catchers available, including Tyler Lockett, Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper.
Lockett, who suited up for Seattle with Smith and Carroll, and Diggs both have some form of ties to the Raiders. While Diggs has never played for Carroll, he has been working out with Smith this offseason. For whatever reason, though, the Raiders seem more inclined to see what options are available when they are on the clock in the 2025 NFL Draft. Given this year’s class of receivers is weaker than usual, it’s a gamble for Las Vegas that could limit the upside of the passing attack next season.
NFL Power Rankings 2025: Offseason evaluations before the 2025 NFL Draft