By now, most draft pundits think they have the Las Vegas Raiders all figured out.
More mock drafts have the Raiders selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick. Others, not so convinced that Geno Smith is a long-term proposition in Las Vegas, have Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders heading to the Raiders. Both players have been linked to the Raiders for a long time, and it feels almost inevitable that one of them winds up with the Silver and Black.
However, the draft is an unpredictable beast, and the Raiders could end up being one bout of insanity happening in front of them from a true best-case scenario.
One of the best prospects in the draft could fall directly to the Raiders with the sixth pick.
In CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo’s list of Raiders targets, Jeanty and Sanders were the clear top picks. However, the name below them on the list warrants serious attention: Colorado two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
“If the Giants and Patriots (who have the third and fourth picks, respectively) pass on him, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders not drafting Travis Hunter, who won the 2024 Heisman Trophy after putting together one of the most incredible individual seasons in college football history,” wrote DeArdo.
Hunter is unlikely to fall out of the top five due to him being the top prospect on most big boards, but him falling to the Raiders at six would feel like a godsend.
Hunter starred at both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, and his elite play at both positions has NFL scouts wondering if that would remain the case at the professional level. His understanding of defensive concepts would allow him to find soft spots as a receiver easier, while his ball skills translate to him being a defensive playmaker and lockdown cornerback. It is difficult to see teams pass up on that kind of tantalizing potential.
Should teams like the Giants, Patriots or even the Jacksonville Jaguars at five pass on him for their own needs, however, the Raiders would reap the rewards of such decision-making.
Hunter’s two positions happen to be where the Raiders have significant needs. Las Vegas needs another weapon for Smith to throw to besides Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, while the defense is still lacking a true number one cornerback despite the moves in the secondary during free agency. If Hunter wants to establish that he can play both sides of the ball in the NFL, the Raiders are as good a place as any for him to get that opportunity.
Hunter is unlikely to fall to the Raiders, but they would be foolish not to make the easy choice if he does.
Pete Carroll describes roster turnover heading into first season as Raiders coach
