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The Las Vegas Raiders struggled badly on defense in 2024, finishing 4-13. To bounce back, they’re planning a major defensive overhaul. But will these changes be enough to improve their record in 2025?
Overview
The Raiders’ 2024 season was disappointing, ending with a 4-13 record. Las Vegas ranked near the bottom in key defensive statistics, including points allowed, passing defense, and sacks. The Raiders’ defensive line, linebackers, and secondary were vulnerable to easy ball movement by opposing teams.
The Silver and Black knew they had to make significant changes heading into 2025, so the front office is working around the clock to rebuild their defense.
Raiders’ Top Alternatives: Offensive Talent vs. Defensive Needs
Las Vegas faces a tough decision at pick No. 6, with elite offensive talent also available:
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: Nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024 (2,601 yards, 29 touchdowns). He fits perfectly into Coach Pete Carroll’s run-heavy offense.
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: An accurate passer who threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. However, he struggled against strong pass rushes and didn’t play in a pro-style offense.
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: A dominant receiver at 6-foot-5, McMillan had 1,319 yards receiving in 2024 and could instantly upgrade the Raiders’ passing attack.
Given these tempting offensive options, will the Raiders stick to their defensive overhaul plan or choose the best available talent?
Analysts and fans will closely watch these choices. Sportsbooks like FanDuel will equally showcase how the Raiders might fare in high-stakes games early in the season on FanDuel’s NFL matchup predictions.
Projected Impact of Potential Defensive Draft Picks
If the Raiders choose defense at No. 6, here’s how Graham or Hunter could help immediately:
- Mason Graham: He would instantly strengthen the Raiders’ run defense and add pressure on opposing quarterbacks, filling a big gap in the defensive line.
- Travis Hunter: He could become a shutdown cornerback, improving pass defense dramatically. His ability to create turnovers would give the Raiders’ offense more scoring chances.
Measuring Success: Expectations for the defense in 2025
Realistically, Las Vegas doesn’t need a top-five defense overnight. But clear improvement is necessary. Key benchmarks include:
- Reducing points allowed per game,
- Increasing sacks and quarterback pressures,
- Improving turnover numbers, especially interceptions.
If the Raiders meet these goals, they’ll win more games and compete for a playoff spot.
Raiders’ Defensive Overhaul and Future Outlook
The Raiders’ defensive overhaul is crucial for future success. Their decisions in the 2025 draft, smart free-agent moves, and Pete Carroll’s coaching will shape the team’s direction. While immediate success isn’t guaranteed, the team is clearly committed to fixing their defense and becoming competitive again.
With the right moves, Las Vegas could quickly turn things around and build a foundation for long-term success.
More must-reads:
- Commanders' Jayden Daniels expands on Terry McLaurin prediction
- Commanders' Terry McLaurin reportedly wants more money than previously thought
- The 'NFL QBs with the most games started' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to deal with David Mulugheta insofar as to get Micah Parsons' agent to fill out the paperwork on the contract extension that was already negotiated. During an appearance with Michael Irvin on Thursday, Jones said Mulugheta told him to shove the paperwork up their heinie. "When we wanted to send the details to the agent, The agents told us to stick it up our a--," Jones said. "Just so we're clear. (Parsons) and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent, and we had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. "We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, 'Don't bother, because we've got all that to negotiate.' Well, I'd already negotiated. I'd already moved off my mark on several areas." Following an incoherent analogy to a child going between a mom and dad to negotiate, Jones accused Mulugheta of trying to "stick his nose" in negotiations to try to get the Cowboys to cave for a better deal for his client. Jones has no plans to back down from the agreement he had already worked out with Parsons. "In my mind, for the Dallas Cowboys, we've got it done," Jones said. "And if the agent wants to finish up the details, which he should, and do all the paperwork, he can do that, and we're ready to go. But as far as the amount of money, the years, the guarantees, all of that we negotiated." Dallas is set to conclude its preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night with no end in sight to the biggest distraction on the team this summer. Jones should have avoided the situation with Parsons by dealing with Mulugheta directly, but that might have caused the theatre to be much less dramatic before the regular season.
An $18M Gamble That Could Pay Off Big for Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a pivotal decision in goal — one that could define their playoff strategy for 2026 and potentially set them up in the years to come. Stuart Skinner, who has quietly backstopped the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, is entering the final season of his $2.6 million deal. And with the salary cap projected to climb significantly, the time to strike might be now. This argument won’t go over well with many Oilers fans. Specifically, those who believe Edmonton needs an upgrade in goal aren’t going to like the idea of investing in Skinner for a sizeable amount of money. Frankly, it’s hard to blame those skeptics; Skinner’s numbers won’t land him in the Vezina conversation. That said, his consistency has been good enough to keep Edmonton in contention, and if he has a solid 2025-26 season, you can bet the Oilers are going to wind up paying to keep him. When the Oilers’ defense holds up, Skinner performs as well as most mid-tier starters across the league. Under new goalie coach Peter Aubry, there’s optimism that Skinner could add another layer to his game — and if that happens, his price tag could soar. Goalie Deals, Like What’s Coming For Skinner, Aren’t Getting Cheaper League-wide trends suggest goalie deals aren’t getting cheaper. Locking Skinner in for something in the range of three years at $6 million per season could give the Oilers cost certainty and valuable cap flexibility. Comparable netminders like Logan Thompson, Tristan Jarry, and Darcy Kuemper already sit in that range, and Edmonton could find itself with a bargain if Skinner continues to grow. Lukas Dostal just signed on with the Ducks for five more years at $6.5 million per season, in what many are calling a bargain extension. The benefit isn’t just about saving money. A team-friendly deal keeps Skinner movable if things go sideways. Waiting comes with risk. A breakout season from Skinner would make negotiations far more expensive — especially in a market where quality goaltending is scarce. For a team operating in a tight Cup window, overpaying later could mean losing depth elsewhere. Is Skinner the Long-Term Answer Or Yesterday’s News? If the Oilers aren’t sold on Skinner, investing further in him isn’t the right play. But, if they believe he’s got the tools to rebound, buying low (or at least, lower) isn’t the worst idea. He’s experienced, and Edmonton has taken the time and shown patience to see him flourish. “I think going through it the first time, you go through that experience in the summer and then you realize the things you did well and the things you didn’t do well,” Skinner said to NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest. “So going through it a second time, but being able to say you went through this does help you get over it quicker, just because you have to go back into training and do it all over again.” Maybe the lows have shown themselves, and the highs could be around the corner. Moreover, one could argue the decision is less about whether Skinner is the long-term answer in net and more about innovative asset management. Betting on him now is a calculated gamble that could pay off in a big way, especially if Edmonton believes their championship core can win with steady — if not spectacular — play between the pipes. For general manager Stan Bowman, this isn’t just about a contract; it’s about strategy. Move early, and the Oilers could secure the cost certainty they need to keep their stars together. If Skinner remains average, a $6 million goaltender is potentially a tough sell, but not an impossible one.
Halkias: Steelers' Final 53-Man Roster Prediction For 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers' final preseason game Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers is going to be very telling to see how the final 53-man roster shakes up. Head Coach Mike Tomlin made it very clear that the third game is pivotal for players on the bubble of making the roster. Here is my prediction for the Steelers final 53-man roster. Every year the last preseason matchup serves as a deciding factor for those players sitting on the edge of the roster. Tomlin has built a reputation for using this game as a true evaluation tool where one standout play or one costly mistake can be the difference between making the team or receiving a call to turn in equipment. Thursday will be no different and fans should expect to see bubble players get significant snaps in critical situations as the staff finalizes decisions. When the dust settles, the 53-man roster will reflect not only talent but also versatility, reliability, and the ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game. Tomlin and his staff value players who can step into more than one role whether on offense, defense, or special teams. That is why the last look against the Panthers is so important. It is not just about who plays well, it is about who fits the bigger picture the Steelers want to carry into the regular season. Steelers' Final 53-Man Roster Prediction It is never easy to predict which players on the verge of making the roster will actually secure a spot. However, the best way to approach it is by looking at how many players the Steelers kept at each position ahead of the 2024 season. From there, you can make a more accurate guess at how the final roster might shape up. I have Pittsburgh keeping just five wide receivers to start the 2025 season. Though, of course, they could keep six. Offense: 24 Players Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard Running Backs: Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell Wide Receivers: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller Tight Ends: Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward Offensive Line: Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Andrus Peat, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Ryan McCollum Defense: 26 Players Defensive Line: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Daniel Ekuale Outside Linebackers: TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer Inside Linebackers: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson Cornerbacks: Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, James Pierre, Brandin Echols, Beanie Bishop Jr. Safeties: DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark Specialists: 3 Players Kicker: Chris Boswell Punter: Cameron Johnston Long Snapper: Christian Kuntz Steelers' Thursday Night Game Against Carolina Will Shake Up Roster We already discussed in this article how the third preseason game on Thursday night against the Panthers will be very telling. There are several players on this roster bubble fighting to earn one of the few remaining spots. Steelers fans are eager to see how this 53-man roster finally shakes up. The players who do not make the initial roster will have a chance to continue on the practice squad and may eventually be promoted or claimed by another team. Some under-the-radar players have had really strong training camps and preseasons, but is it enough to make an NFL roster? Soon, Steelers fans will find out. Which player on the bubble do you want to see make the Steelers final 53-man roster?
'Look out for this dude': Former NFL exec has warning about unexpected SEC quarterback
Quarterbacks like Texas' Arch Manning, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier are getting all the hype as the 2025 college football season quickly approaches, but don't sleep on South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Sellers, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound redshirt sophomore from Florence, South Carolina, had an intriguing redshirt freshman season for the Gamecocks. So much so, that he very well could find himself listed among players like Manning, Klubnik and Nussmeier in the Heisman Trophy race by the end of this season. He's also the exact type of quarterback who will have NFL scouts raving. Louis Riddick is a former NFL player, scout and executive who is extremely high on Sellers heading into this season. He was recently on ESPN's "Get Up" and had many great things to say about South Carolina's young quarterback. “I’m just telling you, look out for this dude," Riddick said (h/t On3). "He can run. He has got a cannon. They have got a good program down there. He is everything that you’re looking for. Just look at some of this. Look how big this kid is. Look how fast and elusive he is.” Sellers is a classic dual-threat quarterback who fits the mold of a modern QB perfectly. Last season for the Gamecocks, he threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns (with seven interceptions) while rushing for 674 yards and seven touchdowns. Much like its quarterback, South Carolina is a bit under the radar in a stacked SEC, but head coach Shane Beamer went 9-4 last season, and his Gamecocks are ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25. South Carolina has a stretch in the middle of the season that will see it play consecutive games against No. 9 LSU, No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 8 Alabama, No. 21 Ole Miss and No. 19 Texas A M. Coastal Carolina is a respite on the schedule on Nov. 22, and the Gamecocks end their regular season against No. 4 Clemson. If the Gamecocks can pull off a few wins in that stretch, they very well could be a College Football Playoff team this season. In order to do that, though, they'll need Sellers to become a superstar, but listening to Riddick talk about the quarterback, it seems as if he's already on his way.
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