The offseason is full throttle for the Las Vegas Raiders. They have decided to part ways with Antonio Pierce and are now in a search for the next head coach. Also, they’ve have the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Raiders need a lot of different things. They need an offensive lineman that can help excel in the run game. Also, they need playmakers at the receiver position and desperately need to figure out the run game. With the team likely out of the running for Shedur Sanders and Cam Ward, they’d have to pivot. While they could still land one of those two players, I’d very much prefer if they didn’t sell the house to trade up to doing so.

Mock Drafts are out and about and one player has been linked to the team at number six. Here’s my wish list, not just for the first round, but in general.

Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona, WR)

This pick hinges entirely on the teams in front of them. The Giants likely could be selecting Travis Hunter (CB/WR). The Patriots need help on the offensive line, but desperately need pass catchers. The Jaguars are taking best player available or fitting a need. So, if Tetairoa McMillan falls to the Raiders, this should be the pick.

Despite the lackluster play at the quarterback position, Raiders pass catchers made History. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers had a season for the history books, having the most receptions as a rookie and most yards as a rookie tight end. Also, Jakobi Meyers recorded his first 1,000 yard season, which is great for a guy who was undrafted. As mentioned above, the Raiders are likely out of the running for Shedur Sanders and Cam Ward. But the best thing they can do is add more playmakers. That’s where McMillan comes into play.

You have Bowers and Meyers, so adding McMillan gives the Raiders another legit receiving threat. After trading Davante Adams, the need for another outside threat is needed.

TETAIROA. MCMILLAN. WHAT. A. CATCH. @TMAC96795 🤯🤯🤯

📺: Pac-12 Network pic.twitter.com/EMGwmKPrYX

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 17, 2023

McMillan is regarded as the best receiver in this draft and his playmaking skills are off the charts. He uses his big frame to put himself in position to make his catches. McMillan is athletic, has great running after the catch ability, and would be an elite red zone target.

The rebuild for the Raiders is real. But adding McMillan would be enormous for this offense. It definitely does matter who the Raiders have position player wise if they don’t have a quarterback to get them the ball. That leads us to the next wish list.

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss, QB)

This one is going to be brief and not nearly as lengthy. The Raiders need their quarterback of the future. While they will likely miss out on Sanders and Ward, they could easily find one in the second round if he makes it that far. His name is Jaxson Dart. The spotlight is not on him and that’s maybe a good thing. However, he could be a diamond in the rough.

“He’s gonna be a major steal in the draft,” the unnamed scout said, per Schultz. “Throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is kinda this lost skill in today’s game, but that’s what makes him so interesting. Get Dart a couple speed guys and he can really hurt you.”

Dart flashed his arm at Ole Miss this season. He threw 4,266 yards and 29 touchdowns. Dart is athletic, mobile, makes smart decisions and is not afraid to scramble and move outside the pocket. He would be the perfect quarterback and the Raiders would not have to pay a premium to land him.

The biggest question mark for the Raiders is if they can develop a young quarterback. They need to hire the right coach and a coach who is offensive minded to guide the QB along the way.

Cam Skattebo (Arizona State, RB)

As someone who loves and appreciates the beautiful state of Arizona, comes appreciation for the sports teams within that state. Arizona State Football had a magnificent season. They went on to win the Big 12 title and reached the College Football Playoff. There were many things that stood out for the Sun Devils this season, but none other than running back Cam Skattebo.

Skattebo is a phenomenal back and is dual threat. He is a physical runner and runs with authority and is also a factor in the pass game. Skattebo has that DAWG in him. Skattebo has confidence and deservedly so.

“Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country,” Skattebo said after the victory. “I’m going to stand on that…whatever NFL takes me is going to get a gem.”

Skattebo had a monstrous season, finishing with 1,711 rushing yards, 605 receiving yards yards, and 24 total touchdowns. The quotes above came before their playoff game against Texas and he delivered on that quote. Skattebo rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing one.

That is the type of player the Raiders NEED in their offense. Skattebo will break tackles and gains yards after contact. For any team looking to bolster their backfield, Skattebo is the perfect player to grab. For the Raiders, Skattebo immediately slots in as the feature back. The Raiders run game was pitiful during the 2024 season and that’s being generous. The run blocking was horrendous and no running back could find any rhythm or real estate to run on. The Raiders have a DAWG in Bowers and need one in the backfield. Skattebo fits, but so does another running back.

Ashton Jeanty (Boise State, RB)

This seems more like a pipe dream. There is a world where Jeanty does not get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but that’s sounds very unlikely. Whether he reaches the Raiders at number six will be a mystery, but there is a real possibility that Jeanty does. In my own personal opinion, I think the Raiders should select the best player available and there are players I’d personally draft over Jeanty. But he is a member of the draft wish lists.

Ashton Jeanty. 54 yards. Touchdown.

📺 CBS Sports#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent | #HEI2MAN https://t.co/CNJv8VJMZH pic.twitter.com/uEnQhZ2tJl

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) October 13, 2024

Jeanty is the perfect premiere back to have in your backfield. He is a tough customer and is very hard to bring down. He is explosive and is he finds the open highway, he’s gone. This was his second season where he rushed for over 1,000 yards. Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was not as much of a factor in the pass game as Skattebo was, but is certainly a target that’s beneficial to any quarterback. The need for a running back is evident for the Raiders. Big difference is that Skattebo could likely be found in rounds two or three, whereas Jeanty is likely in the first round. Our very own Pat Geary (@PoolsidePat1 on Twitter), also the host of “A College Football Podcast” (ACollegeFBPod), is very high on Jeanty. Here is what he had to say.

“Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White, Alexander Mattison…. Not exactly a glowing backfield for a winning NFL team. While I am aware that the Las Vegas Raiders have a LOT and I mean A LOT to address this off season. One thing they can do, after winning two meaningless games and likely dropping themselves out of the top QB game, is drafting an otherworldly RB Prospect by the name of Ashton Jeanty. The coulda shoulda been Heisman Boise St. record breaker is the first can’t miss Running Back prospect in some time. With his mix of strength and speed, Jeanty led this Boise St. team to the College Football Playoff. Standing at 5′ 9” and weighing 216 lbs the standout back has already drawn lofty comparisons to greats such as Barry Sanders, Marshawn Lynch, and Christian McCaffery, to name a few. While those are certainly big shoes to fill, Jeanty will be a year one starter and is for sure a top talent in this years’ draft. After a draft which they unequivocally took the “Best Available” player (Brock Bowers which seems to have worked out) I could see them going down the same path once again this year. The Raiders need a lot, however, Jeanty is poised to get close to if not 1000 yards on skill alone no matter the team he is playing on and that would immediately shore up a POOR Raiders run game that helped tank their season.”

Tom Telesco and Co. have a lot of work to do.