Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with wide receiver Jack Bech (18) after catching a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Truth About the Raiders' 2025 Rookie Class

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Ezekiel Trezevant | Last updated Feb 11, 2026 3:00 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders' 2025 draft class walked into a situation that would be hard for most rookies to succeed in.

Raiders' Rookies

The Raiders had several questions that arose from a failed 3-14 campaign under former head coach Pete Carroll. One of the more pressing issues under Carroll was the lack of playing time for nearly the Raiders' entire 2025 draft class. It was undoubtedly part of Las Vegas' undoing this season.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports ranks Las Vegas' most recent rookie class as the 28th-best rookie class in the entire National Football League. This is a fair ranking considering how long Carroll waited to play most of the players in the class.

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"Jeanty is a 'hit' but not to the level many expected. The selection of a running back that early was always suspect considering the shortcomings of the supporting cast. The Raiders had a, personally, least favorite draft class and it played out that way this fall," Edwards said.

"Neither Dont'e Thornton Jr. nor Jack Bech were particularly effective for a franchise that sorely needed someone to step up in the absence of Davante Adams and, eventually, Jakobi Meyers. No defender was really able to uplift one of the league's worst defenses."

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Jeanty had a productive season, breaking the Raiders' rookie record for scrimmage yards and doing so while playing behind arguably the worst offensive line in the National Football League. He should be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the changes the Raiders' front office makes this season.

Shortly after Carroll was fired, Raiders General Manager John Spytek praised the rookie class for persevering through a challenging season. Many of the rookies came on strong later in the season, after finally being allowed to play and gain experience. Spytek looks to build upon the 2025 class.

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“I'm proud of the rookie class. It wasn't easy for them. They battled and they got better as the season went and I think that showed up over the last couple of weeks. But this is the biggest offseason of their career usually. Guys have a chance to make a massive jump, and if they don't, you will kind of wonder why,” Spytek said.

“And a lot of times it's pretty telling. So, they got a they got a massive opportunity that they got to attack this offseason too, and I'm going to spend some time over the next couple of weeks talking to all those men. We've got 10 more draft picks that we have shots this year to try to load it up with more young players."

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This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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