Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders

As the NFL draft approaches, mock drafts and scouting reports have increasingly focused on the Las Vegas Raiders’ need to select “successors” for key positions—players who can eventually replace aging veterans, fill future roster gaps, or provide insurance for stars entering the final years of their contracts. This isn’t just about adding talent; it’s about strategic planning: identifying prospects who align with the Raiders’ system, possess long-term upside, and can seamlessly step into critical roles when the time comes. From potential quarterbacks to replace Jimmy Garoppolo to defensive linemen who can complement Maxx Crosby, draft projections highlight how the Raiders can build a sustainable roster by investing in tomorrow’s leaders today. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down the top positional successors linked to the Raiders, the prospects most likely to fill those roles, and why these selections are vital for the team’s long-term success.

The most prominent draft projection for the Raiders centers on selecting a quarterback successor to Jimmy Garoppolo, who is entering the final year of his contract and has faced questions about long-term durability. Multiple mock drafts—including those from ESPN and NFL Network—project the Raiders to target a developmental quarterback in the early to mid-rounds, with University of Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and University of Oregon’s Bo Nix emerging as top candidates. Penix, a Heisman Trophy finalist with elite arm strength and accuracy (he completed 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns last season), is viewed as a prospect who can sit behind Garoppolo for a year while learning the Raiders’ offense. Nix, meanwhile, brings consistency (he started 57 consecutive games in college) and versatility (he’s comfortable throwing from the pocket or scrambling), making him a reliable backup option with starter potential. Draft projections note that the Raiders’ quarterback room lacks long-term clarity beyond Garoppolo, and selecting a successor now would avoid the panic of needing to sign a free-agent quarterback next offseason. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders frames this quarterback projection as a “future-proofing” move, ensuring the Raiders don’t face a crisis at the game’s most important position.

Another key draft projection focuses on selecting a defensive tackle successor to Bilal Nichols, who turns 29 next season and has an expiring contract after 2025. Nichols has been a steady presence in the Raiders’ interior line (45 tackles, 2 sacks last season), but the team lacks proven depth behind him—making a defensive tackle selection a priority. Mock drafts project the Raiders to target University of Georgia’s Jalen Carter or University of Alabama’s Justin Eboigbe in the second or third round. Carter, a 6’3”, 310-pound run-stuffer with surprising pass-rush ability (5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss last season), fits the Raiders’ need for a player who can clog running lanes and complement Nichols’ style. Eboigbe, meanwhile, is a more athletic prospect (he recorded 7 sacks in his senior year) who can play both tackle and end in the Raiders’ 3-4 scheme, adding versatility. Draft projections emphasize that defensive tackle is a position where talent often takes time to develop, and selecting a successor now would let the prospect learn from Nichols before taking over as a starter. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders highlights this projection as a way to maintain the Raiders’ defensive line strength, even as veterans approach the end of their contracts.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, draft projections also feature an offensive guard successor to Robert Hunt, who signed a four-year contract in 2024 but is already 28—meaning the team should plan for his eventual replacement. The Raiders’ offensive line has been a priority in recent offseasons, and mock drafts project them to target a guard in the mid-rounds, with University of Michigan’s Zak Zinter and University of Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson as top candidates. Zinter, a three-year starter with a physical blocking style (he allowed just 1 sack in his college career), aligns with the Raiders’ focus on run-blocking to support Josh Jacobs. Jackson, a more agile prospect who excels in pass protection, would provide insurance if Hunt struggles with injuries or declines in production. For the Las Vegas Raiders, investing in an offensive guard successor now ensures continuity in a unit that has been inconsistent in recent years—avoiding the need to overhaul the line in one offseason. Draft projections note that the Raiders’ offensive success relies on a strong interior line, and selecting a guard successor would keep the offense on track for years to come. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders explores how this projection reflects the Raiders’ commitment to building a “line of the future” that can protect quarterbacks and open running lanes for seasons.

The Las Vegas Raiders are also linked to draft projections for a wide receiver successor to Hunter Renfrow, who has been a reliable slot receiver but is entering his sixth NFL season and has dealt with injury issues. Renfrow’s production dipped from 1,038 yards in 2021 to 554 yards last season, and the Raiders lack young depth behind him and Davante Adams. Mock drafts project the Raiders to target a slot receiver in the late rounds, with University of Texas’ Xavier Worthy and University of Florida’s Ricky Pearsall as potential picks. Worthy, a speedster with 4.25-second 40-yard dash speed, would add a deep threat to the Raiders’ passing game while learning the slot role from Renfrow. Pearsall, a more polished route-runner (he caught 65 passes for 965 yards last season), is viewed as a prospect who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a slot starter. For the Las Vegas Raiders, selecting a wide receiver successor would ensure the passing game remains dynamic even as Renfrow ages, and it would give Adams a reliable partner in the slot. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders notes that this projection addresses a “quiet need” for the Raiders—one that could become critical if Renfrow’s production continues to decline.

Finally, draft projections for the Las Vegas Raiders underscore a broader theme: building a roster with “layers” of talent, where successors are ready to step in before key players depart. This strategy avoids the “rebuild” cycle that has plagued the Raiders in recent years, instead focusing on gradual, sustainable growth. General manager Dave Ziegler hinted at this approach in a recent interview, saying, “We don’t want to be in a position where we have to replace three starters in one offseason. Drafting successors lets us develop talent slowly, so the transition is seamless.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, this means selecting quarterbacks who can learn from Garoppolo, defensive tackles who can study with Nichols, guards who can play alongside Hunt, and receivers who can grow with Renfrow—all while contributing in small ways immediately. Draft projections aren’t just guesswork; they’re a reflection of the Raiders’ long-term vision. Draft Projections Feature Successor for the Las Vegas Raiders concludes that by focusing on successors in the draft, the Raiders are no longer just planning for next season—they’re building a team that can compete for division titles and Super Bowls for the next decade. For Raider Nation, that’s the kind of strategic thinking that turns hope into sustained success.