One of the most intriguing storylines this offseason is the future of the Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback position. Since Derek Carr’s departure in 2023, the team has been searching for stability at the position. With new leadership under head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders are eyeing their next franchise quarterback to help turn things around.
The Raiders are evaluating the 2025 NFL Draft, and the best options are likely Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. However, they are picking outside of the top five and one analyst predicted they would make a move for Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe instead.
Raiders To Acquire Jalen Milroe in 2025 NFL Draft To Build for Future
Without promise at the quarterback position, you’re dead on arrival in the NFL these days, and the Raiders are as good an example of that as anyone.
Las Vegas finished 30th in turnover rate and last in EPA per rush. Defenses had no reason not to be aggressive against them, especially following the Davante Adams trade. That made life difficult for quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell, Desmond Ridder, and Gardner Minshew II all season.
The Raiders’ offense doesn’t have a calling card, which makes moving much higher in these rankings unlikely without a jumpstart at quarterback this offseason. Vegas fans can now scout the incoming quarterback class, as its 29th-place finish in PFSN’s Offense+ metric feels like a ceiling for the roster as currently constructed.
However, with the two top prospects likely being snapped early in Round 1, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicts they will pick Milroe and build him for the future.
“During the draft, the Raiders can make a splashy move for a quarterback who wouldn’t cost them multiple first-round picks. After making their first pick at No. 6, they could trade back into the first round for Jalen Milroe, much like the Baltimore Ravens did to draft Lamar Jackson in 2018.
“While no one should expect Milroe to mirror Jackson’s career pathway, he could be an intriguing developmental signal-caller who can blossom into a starter. Milroe must be more patient when going through his reads from the pocket, but teams like the Raiders should be interested in his physical tools.”
While Milroe had a difficult season, throwing for 2,844 yards and 16 passing touchdowns, 20 rushing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, he does possess the dual-threat ability and has the arm strength to drive the ball downfield.
Peak Jalen Milroe. pic.twitter.com/VV111Dhr6R
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) February 1, 2025
There’s still plenty of room for Milroe to get better, but he has all of the requisite talent to be a future NFL starter and could make a difference in the Raiders’ offense right from the start.
Las Vegas’ current QBs O’Connell and Minshew finished 20th and 35th, respectively, in PFSN’s QB+ metric last year, and it won’t be a surprise if Milroe gets the nod ahead of them, given that the Raiders manage to pick him in the NFL Draft.
What Are Raiders Picking in the Mock Draft?
In the PFSN’s latest 7-round mock draft by Ben Rolfe, the Raiders are projected to use their No.6 pick on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a top-10 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft with explosive speed, soft hands, and physicality.
Here’s why Rolfe thinks Las Vegas will go for an RB over QB: “There are many needs for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, but we already got an indication that they are thinking of different ways to be successful with their offense. Pete Carroll already said that having success offensively is not all about the quarterback, and the Philadelphia Eagles proved that with their offensive output through Saquon Barkley.”
Meanwhile, Milroe is dropping down to No. 52 and is projected to be picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Sitting in the middle of the second round might prove to be the perfect spot for the Steelers to get Jalen Milroe. Chances are they may decide to trade up just because sitting and waiting for a quarterback to fall to you on Day 2 will feel like a risky proposition, but free agency will shape that narrative to some extent.”
