The Las Vegas Raiders approached the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine intent on finding clarity for one of their most pressing issues: the quarterback position. Despite their diligent evaluations, the event left them without a clear rookie solution, prompting a potential shift in their strategy. Here are the key takeaways from the Raiders’ experience at the Combine and what it means for their plans moving forward.
Quarterback Urgency Spurs Tough Decisions
The Raiders entered the Combine with a notable sense of urgency to address their quarterback concerns. Having struggled with consistency under center in recent seasons, the team prioritized the search for a franchise quarterback to lead them into the future. Unfortunately, the Combine did not deliver the high-caliber rookie quarterback prospect they were hoping to find.
The 2025 quarterback draft class has been widely viewed as lacking depth, further complicating the Raiders’ quest to identify a solid option. While both Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Texas’s Quinn Ewers generated some interest during the event, neither player managed to solidify themselves as a top-tier draft pick. Milroe and Ewers ranked 77th and 100th respectively on Bleacher Report’s draft big board, underscoring the limited options available.
Balancing Draft and Free Agency
With their quarterback search hitting obstacles at the Combine, the Raiders appear ready to pivot towards a more balanced strategy. Reports suggest the team is hesitant to make a significant reach for a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft. Instead, they are exploring the possibility of signing a veteran free agent to provide immediate leadership and stability.
This approach enables the Raiders to utilize a second-round pick on a young quarterback prospect without overcommitting valuable assets to someone they’re uncertain about. This hybrid strategy could allow the Raiders to address their needs incrementally, pairing short-term solutions with long-term planning and development.
Evaluating Other Positions for Team Needs
While quarterback remained the dominant focus, the Raiders took the Combine as an opportunity to scout talent across other positions. With the aim to fortify their roster holistically, the team explored potential day-one starters and contributors at positions of need. Players who fit the Raiders’ competitive culture and long-term goals were prioritized, aligning with General Manager John Spytek and Head Coach Pete Carroll’s philosophy of vetting prospects not only for their athletic ability but also for their mental toughness and cultural compatibility.
This broader focus ensures that the Raiders remain flexible in approaching the draft. By targeting high-quality prospects outside of the quarterback position, the team can build a stronger overall foundation while remaining patient in their quest for a franchise quarterback.
What Lies Ahead for the Offseason
The Raiders leave the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine with mixed emotions. On one hand, they gained valuable insights into prospective players and clarified their needs as they approach the draft. On the other hand, they remain without a definitive answer at quarterback, the most critical position on the field.
If the Raiders follow through on their reported strategy, they could aim to sign an experienced quarterback in free agency in the coming weeks. This would provide a stopgap option for the team’s immediate quarterback concerns while offering flexibility in the draft. Meanwhile, their evaluations from the Combine will inform which non-quarterback prospects they target to bolster their roster in both the short and long term.
Conclusion
The Raiders’ 2025 Scouting Combine experience underlines the complexity of their current situation. Without a clear rookie quarterback prospect or the desire to overextend in the draft, they must navigate free agency and the draft market with caution and creativity. By keeping their options open and focusing on addressing multiple roster needs, the Raiders hope to emerge from this offseason with a team better equipped to compete for the playoffs while inching closer to a long-term solution at quarterback. The rest of the offseason will reveal whether this strategy pays dividends for Las Vegas.