NFL Draft buzz: Three teams that could trade up for Las Vegas Raiders’ No. 6 overall pick

The Las Vegas Raiders will have plenty of options with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Typically, teams are more willing to trade down and accumulate picks than surrender draft capital for an aggressive move up. However, the Raiders could hear their phones ringing if a top prospect slips or a quarterback goes earlier than expected.

While at the owner’s meetings in Tampa, Florida, head coach Pete Carroll suggested that the Raiders could still take a quarterback, even with Geno Smith’s contract extension in the works.

“Geno is an immediate fix for us, and it’s going to last us,” Carroll told reporters. “We’re going to get a number of years from Geno at his very best. He’s healthy and ready to go. He’s as tuned in as he’s ever been, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t see some guys coming out with tremendous potential. We’re not excluding taking anybody.”

Nonetheless, John Spytek could get an offer that’s hard to refuse, considering the general manager loves picks “more than anybody.”

Which teams might call the Raiders on draft day, and who could those teams target? Let’s examine three realistic trade-down scenarios.

Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: April draft projections for first and second rounds

Raiders slide down to No. 10, Bears move up for RB Ashton Jeanty

Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 10 overall), 2025 2nd-round pick (No. 41 overall), 2025 7th-round pick (No. 241 overall)

Chicago Bears receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 6 overall), 2025 5th-round pick (No. 144 overall), 2025 6th-round pick (No. 181 overall)

Prognosticators have linked Las Vegas to Ashton Jeanty after Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that the blue-chip prospect has “supporters in the organization.” It makes sense. Jeanty is one of the best players in this year’s class, and he would fill a glaring need for the Silver and Black.

However, Spytek may prefer to accumulate more draft picks and add a ball-carrier who’s comparable to Jeanty later in the first round or on Day 2. Meanwhile, new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson could see an opportunity to add Jeanty behind a revamped offensive line.

Related: Las Vegas Raiders insider predicts unless Shedeur Sanders falls, taking this player in Round 1 is ‘inevitable’

Cowboys make an aggressive trade to fill a key need at No. 6

Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 12 overall), 2025 2nd-round pick (No. 44 overall)

Dallas Cowboys receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 6 overall), 2025 4th-round pick (No. 108 overall)

The Dallas Cowboys addressed the running back position in free agency, signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but they’re both coming off underwhelming seasons. Like Chicago, Dallas could target Jeanty.

The Cowboys can also address a more significant need in Round 1, like cornerback if they believe Trevon Diggs will have a slow ramp-up for the offseason program following knee surgery. Dallas may also like wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as a complement to CeeDee Lamb. Remember, owner Jerry Jones isn’t afraid to make bold moves.

Related: NFL Draft news: Wild video gives Raiders, Jets and Broncos reason to worry about drafting Tetairoa McMillan

Raiders move out of top 20, allowing Steelers to snag quarterback

Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 21 overall), 2025 4th-round pick (No. 143 overall), Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick

Pittsburgh Steelers receive: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 6 overall), 2025 6th-round pick (No. 181 overall)

In a shocker, the conservative Pittsburgh Steelers leap 15 spots for Jaxson Dart and give up Minkah Fitzpatrick to pull off the deal. From the Raiders’ perspective, Fitzpatrick would fill a need after they lost safeties Tre’Von Moehrig and Marcus Epps in free agency. The Pro Bowl-All-Pro safety would also be an upgrade.

As for the Steelers, they’re waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision. When asked how much longer the team would wait, owner Art Rooney II told reporters, “not forever, but a little while longer.”

If Rodgers remains undecided going into draft week, Pittsburgh can make a move for Dart, who, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller, is QB2 on some draft boards.