By all accounts, the Las Vegas Raiders had a strong 2025 NFL draft as the team looks to transition to a new era this coming season. And, they may have also broke the hearts of the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the process.
As is the case every year, teams have their eyes on players in specific spots during the draft, only to have them snatched by another team before they're on the clock. As it turns out, the Raiders might have done that to the Rams and 49ers.
According to Sports Illustrated's Hondo Carpenter, the Rams "loved" TCU wideout Jack Bech and were interested in trading up for him before the Raiders took him at No. 58 overall in the second round.
“Other teams loved [Bech]. There was, I’m told by an executive, there was two that I know of, and I think three teams trying to trade up to get him. I’m told that the Rams loved him, but the Raiders were able to snag him," Carpenter said.
After taking Bech and cornerback Darien Porter, the Raiders opted to take two offensive tackles in back-to-back picks at No. 98 and No. 99 overall, with the selections of Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant.
As it turns out, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, who was a guest on Tim Kawakami's podcast, the 49ers may have been looking to take a tackle at No. 100 overall before the Raiders swiped two players San Francisco met with during the pre-draft process.
“The 49ers had a late pick in the third round and just before they got on the clock, the Raiders had two picks," Barrows said. "The first pick they take Caleb Rogers and the next pick they take Charles Grant… The 49ers spent a lot of time with both of those guys. They actually brought in Caleb Rogers for a visit. I think the 49ers thought one of those guys was going to be there and that old Pete Carroll did a number on them… I do think they did intend to take a tackle on Day 2 and the guy got swiped.”
This is the second year in a row that the Raiders have swiped someone the Rams loved. Los Angeles tried hard to trade up for Brock Bowers last year before he ultimately landed with the Raiders at No. 13 overall.
That said, this probably happens to most, if not every team each year. It's simply part and parcel of the NFL draft.
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