New coach Pete Carroll made it clear that the Las Vegas Raiders will do everything they can to compete right away. As Carroll works with general manager John Spytek to construct a roster capable of doing so, quarterback stands out as the top priority.

The Raiders have significant cap space, but there are no veteran franchise quarterbacks expected to be available this offseason. That leaves the NFL Draft as the most prudent means for the Raiders, and every other quarterback-thirsty team in the league, to find their guy under center.

While the Raiders have the sixth pick in April’s draft, they still don’t have a clear path to landing one of the top quarterback prospects. The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are three teams picking ahead of them that could also be looking for a quarterback. Unless the Raiders swing a trade to move up, they could be left without a quarterback worth drafting at No. 6.

That’s what happened last year when the Raiders came on the board at pick No. 13. The previous regime landed a stud in tight end Brock Bowers, but one of the primary reasons the team finished 4-13 this season was the lack of an answer at quarterback. Carroll raises the floor for the Raiders, but their ceiling will remain capped as long as that’s the case.

So who could they go after in the first round? Here’s our first Raiders big board of the draft season. Talent is paramount, but positional value, need and fit were also considered.

1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

There’s a lot of hoopla that comes with Sanders’ famous father, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, but that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that he was a heck of a college quarterback for four seasons at Jackson State and Colorado. He had his best season in 2024 and displayed the consistency, poise, pocket presence, decision making and improvisational skills required to be an effective starter in the pros. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a strong relationship with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. Sanders has a lot of skeptics, but he’d be a no-brainer selection for the Raiders.

2. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

If Sanders is off the board, the Raiders should shift into best-player-available mode. No one has a better argument in this draft class for that title than Hunter, who was arguably the best receiver and corner in the country last season. He’s likely best suited to play corner in the NFL, but he could still be used as a package player on offense and as a returner on special teams. The Raiders have bigger needs than receiver and corner, but that shouldn’t stop them from taking Hunter.

3. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Ward is more physically talented than Sanders, but he’s not as accurate or polished. It’s fair to question whether he should start right away or spend some time on the bench as a rookie. Still, his traits could be worth taking a swing on. He’s mobile, has good size and has a cannon for an arm. If he’s developed properly, he could be a capable starter at the next level.

4. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Carter is smaller for a defensive end at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, but he makes up for it with his dynamic combination of speed, athleticism, explosiveness and strength. If he expands his arsenal of pass-rush moves, he’ll be difficult to contain. He’d create a pretty scary duo playing across from All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Your @bigten Defensive Player of the Week, Abdul Carter 🦁#B1GFootball x @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/BNFBu402q3

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 30, 2024

5. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Raiders have a No. 1 pass-catching option in Bowers, but they could still use a true No. 1 receiver. McMillan has great size at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and has excellent ball skills. He’s not the fastest, but he’s a fluid athlete and route runner. Alongside Bowers and receiver Jakobi Meyers, he’d give the Raiders’ next quarterback a great receiving trio to work with.

6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson didn’t have as strong a season as in 2023 when he was named a first-team All-American and helped Michigan win a National Championship, but he was still good enough to be named a second-team All-American in 2024. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, athletic and fast. And he has an instinctual play style. He has the makings of a true No. 1 corner.

7. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Yes, the Raiders just committed a lot of money to defensive tackle Christian Wilkins last offseason, but there’s nothing wrong with having two stud interior defensive linemen. Graham is a freak of an athlete and can make an impact as a pass rusher and run stopper. Sounds familiar, right?

Graham with the SACK

The @UMichFootball defense is on a roll in the first half 🔒 pic.twitter.com/IYSRiADV8X

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

8. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Williams doesn’t have the same bendy athleticism as Carter, but he has more of a traditional defensive end profile at 6-5, 265. He was consistently productive in college — he had at least 4.5 sacks in all three seasons — and boasts the strength, length and motor to carry that over to the next level.

9. Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU

Right tackle DJ Glaze was a surprisingly solid starter in 2024, but the Raiders could still seek an upgrade this offseason. That could be Campbell, who largely played left tackle in college. His length is just OK, which is why some teams see him more as a guard. Either way, he’d help strengthen the offensive line.

10. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

The No. 6 pick might be a bit early for Burden, but the Raiders could potentially have suitors to trade down and pick up additional assets. Burden is a special athlete, has sure hands, is excellent after the catch and adds value as a returner.

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11. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2024, so his medicals will be crucial, but he was playing at an elite level before he went down. If healthy, the 6-5, 310-pounder would be a day-one starter at right tackle.

12. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Banks is another offensive tackle who some teams prefer at guard, but he looks capable of playing both. The Raiders could immediately insert him at right guard or right tackle.

13. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

Walker is only 6-2, 245 pounds and is best known for his athletic traits, but he also has a physical play style that gives him three-down potential. He set career-high marks across the board in 2024 with 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He’s a complete player and is another option to give Crosby an ascending running mate.

Georgia All-American LB Jalon Walker is expected to be a Top-10 pick, per @MelKiperESPN.

Walker (6-2, 245lbs) improved his draft stock throughout the 2024 season and is the 5th ranked player on ESPN’s consensus Top 10 list. pic.twitter.com/BMLLs4DCOJ

— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) January 25, 2025

14. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Pearce is explosive and lanky and has a knack for finding himself in the backfield. He’s a questionable run defender, though, and needs to improve in that area to avoid getting exploited by bigger, stronger O-linemen in the NFL.

15. Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

Membou played guard in high school but found his home at right tackle in college and was a three-year starter at Missouri. He has the size, length, strength and footwork to excel in the NFL and is another plug-and-play option.

16. Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Conerly is nimble and coordinated, but he’s a little raw when it comes to his hand placement and could stand to strengthen his core. He was a solid college player but, with more discipline and strong coaching, could fully unlock his potential in the NFL.

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17. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Williams’ bread and butter is stopping the run. The 6-2, 322-pounder sheds blocks with ease and has the awareness to sniff out runs quickly. The presence of Crosby and Wilkins could free him up more as a pass rusher.

18. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Egbuka was often overlooked at Ohio State because of the team’s talent at receiver, but he deserves plenty of praise as the school’s all-time leader in catches. He’s not great at any one thing, but he’s good at just about everything and should be effective immediately as a rookie.

19. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

If the Raiders lose Tre’von Moehrig in free agency, they’ll have a huge void at safety. Starks is a versatile defender who makes plays whether he’s lined up deep, in the slot or in the box. He makes plays as a run defender and in pass coverage. It’s easy to see him quickly becoming an impact player.

20. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Sincere McCormick flashed starter potential in 2024, but he suffered a season-ending injury. Staying healthy has been an issue for him, and the Raiders would be wise to explore adding help at running back. The best one available is Jeanty, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs led the renaissance of the running back position in 2024, and the Raiders could look to add a dynamic back of their own in Jeanty.

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

(Photo of Jeanty: Eakin Howard / Getty Images)