Insider explains why Raiders could pass on RB Ashton Jeanty

The Athletic's Austin Mock argued Thursday that the Las Vegas Raiders making Boise State's Ashton Jeanty the sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft "would be a mistake" since the team could strengthen a premium position with that asset instead. 

In his latest mock draft on Thursday, Raiders insider Tashan Reed of The Athletic predicted that Las Vegas will select Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou instead of Jeanty at selection No. 6. 

"Membou [is] a 6-foot-4, 332-pounder who possesses a freakish combination of athleticism, strength and agility. He was a two-year starter at Missouri and spent the majority of his time at right tackle," Reed wrote. "He’ll be just 21 this season and has a ton of potential. While he’d have to compete with incumbent starting right tackle DJ Glaze, Membou would likely be a day-one starter with the Raiders. Glaze would be an excellent swing tackle, as he can play both left and right tackle."

Talk about the Raiders possibly grabbing Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 has quieted down since the club signed Geno Smith to a two-year contract extension. Per Pro Football Reference, Smith took the league's third-most sacks (50) this past season. Thus, it makes sense that the Raiders would want to give him some extra protection up front, even though numerous reporters have linked Vegas with Jeanty throughout April.

Meanwhile, Reed thinks the Raiders could target Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins at pick No. 37. 

"Jeanty was on the board at pick No. 6," Reed noted, "...[but] offensive coordinator Chip Kelly knows Judkins very well from his time coaching him at Ohio State this past season. Judkins led the Buckeyes with 194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns as he split carries with TreVeyon Henderson, who is also likely to be selected in the first few rounds of the draft."

Kelly was Judkins' offensive coordinator at Ohio State for the 2024 campaign. 

In a mock draft published on April 8, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that both Membou and Jeanty will be on the board when the Raiders are called to spend the draft's sixth pick. Jeanty would be the more exciting option for many fans, but Membou could be the better choice regarding the franchise's long-term plans.