Mike Mayock, the former Raiders general manager, is high on Jalen Milroe, among other players.
Mike Mayock Praises Milroe in Draft Analysis
When Mayock’s tenure ended with the Las Vegas Raiders, he returned to what he knows and loves best: film study and talent evaluation. Granted, in Vegas, the Raiders paid him a king’s ransom. Yet, dealing with the talent after the draft differs from finding hypothetical homes for elite college athletes.
While Mayock tends to stick to the chalk aspect of the draft process, he will show appreciation for those he believes will make a splash. In a recent interview with the Betway Blog, the former general manager praised former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
“Most people around the league think he’s a project, anagreegree. They also think he’s got an exciting skill set and agrees. I don’t think he will go until the second day, and to me, the best place for him to land would be the Los Angeles Rams. They have no second-round pick, but I love that they’ve got two-thirds, and maybe they can get this kid.”
A Good Fit?
Instead of Milroe heading to the desert, Mayock envisions Boise State standout Ashton Jeanty. During his 40-game career in Idaho, the rusher tallied 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns. The explosive back brings patience and bursts to the field. The Raiders struggled last season, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and sitting last in the NFL.
Also, everyone knows that Pete Carroll values the run game. While he may not have cherished the rushing attack that one Super Bowl, the head coach loves the ground approach more often than not. Mayock envisions a hand-in-glove fit for the former All-American.
“I think Ashton Jeanty from Boise State would be an ideal fit for what Pete Carroll wants to do. [In Seattle] Pete always ran the football downhill, physically, and used play action with Russell Wilson. That was their identity, so I love the Ashton Jeanty fit there.”
Historical Parallel
As mentioned, Pete Carroll loves to press forward and force the defense to play the run first. During his fourteen years in the Pacific Northwest, he enjoyed a top-ten rushing attack six times. People want to shoehorn Milroe into Las Vegas, drawing Russell Wilson parallels. At the same process, Russell Wilson played light years ahead of Jalen Milroe.
Pound the ball to draw the defenses into the box, and play extinction to defeat defenses over the top. It’s the stereotypical Pete Carroll approach. While not as pretty or aesthetically pleasing as the Kansas City Chiefs do, the game works well in the regular season and the playoffs.
View of the Offseason
From the Raiders’ viewpoint, Mayock possesses clearer insight. He knows Mark Davis, so he understands what the team wants to do regarding roster construction. The Raiders did not create massive headlines with their offseason signings and deals.
For instance, they solved their immediate quarterback issue by trading for Geno Smith. Carroll and I knew Smith from their days in Seattle. Mayock discussed what he thought about Las Vegas’ plans.
“I think you have to be a fan of the moves they’ve made, so I liked how they solidified and improved the defensive line, which might be one of the better ones in the league. You extend Maxx Crosby; we drafted a kid named Malcolm K, once who had eight sacks two years ago and was one of the rising young defensive ends in the NFL. He got hurt last and didn’t play, but they were able to sign him to a one-year, $12m ‘proof’ deal. ”
Bottom Line
While not clearly seen, Mike Mayock took the high road when discussing his former team. You could say that he had a legitimate ax to grind. However, what he did do was take pride in the players he drafted who are still there. You can tell he is emotionally invested in how those players fare. As for Ashton Jeanty, he would give the Raiders an identity that the team continues to lack.
KEEP READING: 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Jalen Milroe Next Up in Pittsburgh, Ashton Jeanty Joins Caleb Williams
Jalen Milroe would be a fantastic pick for the Raiders, just not in the top ten. There are too many variables that could derail his career, especially with a veteran coach. While the Raiders need to rebuild, Pete Carroll isn’t going to waste his last few years on the sideline with a project.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
