Advertisement
With most of the big free agents off the market, NFL teams are shifting their focus to the 2025 NFL Draft—and the Las Vegas Raiders are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch. They have a top-10 draft pick, a new head coach and GM, and plenty of roster holes to fill.
According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Raiders could take an aggressive approach in the draft. In his latest mock draft, he predicts the team will use the No. 6 overall pick to select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty—a move aimed at fixing what was the worst rushing attack in the league in 2024.
But the Raiders wouldn’t stop there. Trapasso also has them trading back into the first round, dealing away picks No. 37 (second round), No. 68 (third round), and No. 215 (sixth round) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the No. 24 pick. With that pick, they would select East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Who is Shavon Revel Jr.?
Revel had a short but impressive 2024 season before tearing his ACL, playing just three games but racking up eight tackles, two interceptions, and two pass deflections. Over his college career (24 games), he recorded 70 tackles, 15 pass deflections, three interceptions, and five tackles for loss.
At 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Revel fits the mold of the big, physical cornerbacks that new head coach Pete Carroll has traditionally favored. He has elite ball-tracking skills and isn’t afraid to get physical with ball carriers—an area where the Raiders’ secondary needs improvement.
Why this Trade makes sense for the Raiders
The Raiders desperately need help at cornerback. While they signed Eric Stokes in free agency, there’s still room for an upgrade. Jack Jones, who started in 2024, struggled with a 53.9 Pro Football Focus grade, making cornerback a priority position in the draft.
While moving up in the first round would cost valuable picks, landing a potential long-term starter to pair with Jakorian Bennett—who had a breakout 2024 season—could be worth the investment.
If Trapasso’s prediction comes true, the Raiders would walk away from the first round with an offensive playmaker and a defensive cornerstone—a draft haul that would be hard to be disappointed with.