As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for the 2025 NFL season with a new head coach and quarterback, they also hold the No. 6 overall pick—an opportunity to bring in a high-impact player. In the latest and final mock draft by Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network, the Raiders use that pick to bolster their defense by selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.
Although the team already added Christian Wilkins in free agency and signed star edge rusher Maxx Crosby to a major contract extension, with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty already taken, Pete Carroll turns to defense and picks Graham.
Cummings explains that if the Jaguars pass on Graham, the Raiders will face a tough choice between him, Jeanty, or a top cornerback like Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron. He argues Graham is the right call, especially given the team’s lack of depth on the interior defensive line. The Michigan standout is considered the top interior lineman in the draft and made a big impact during his college career, racking up 60 tackles, 9 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss.
Standing at 6’3.5″ and nearly 300 pounds, Graham combines power, explosiveness, and agility, making him a nightmare for opposing offenses and a dynamic presence in the pass rush. Pairing him with Wilkins on the inside and Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the edge could give the Raiders one of the league’s best defensive lines.
Backup Plans if Jeanty is Unavailable
Jeanty has been a popular projected pick for the Raiders at No. 6, but if he’s off the board—as he is in this mock—Las Vegas may consider other top prospects like Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan or Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
With limited depth beyond WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Brock Bowers, adding a talented receiver like McMillan could benefit veteran quarterback Geno Smith. Meanwhile, Johnson fits the mold of cornerbacks typically favored by Pete Carroll and could immediately strengthen a secondary that lost Nate Hobbs and Trevon Moehrig in the offseason.
Ultimately, whether it’s Graham or Jeanty, the Raiders are well-positioned to land an elite talent at a position of need as they begin a new era under Carroll.