The Las Vegas Raiders are stumbling through the 2025 NFL season, limping to a dismal 2-7 record at the midway mark, and the whispers about their quarterback situation have exploded into a full-blown roar. What was once hailed as a savvy veteran signing now feels like a ticking time bomb: the massive commitment to Geno Smith is under fire, with his on-field struggles, turnover woes, and eye-watering contract forcing the franchise to eye the horizon for a fresh start. But the real earthquake? A stunning mock draft projection that’s got fans buzzing about a high-octane college gunslinger who could redefine the Silver and Black’s future.
Enter the bombshell from PFSN’s Jacob Infante, who in his latest 2026 NFL Draft mock has the Raiders snagging Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with a first-round pick. Infante pulls no punches: the Geno Smith era in Vegas hasn’t panned out as dreamed. Smith’s penchant for giveaways, coupled with a contract that’s more anchor than asset, could shove the team toward a bold pivot—especially if their losing streak catapults them into prime draft territory.
And oh, that contract—it’s a doozy. Per Spotrac, Smith inked a two-year, $75 million deal loaded with $66.5 million in guarantees. This year alone, he’s gobbling up a whopping $40,010,080 in cap space, with a dead cap hit of $58,510,080 staring down any potential trade or release like a financial grim reaper. Cutting ties? Easier said than done without a massive wallet wound. It’s the kind of deal that screams “win now,” but with the Raiders floundering, it’s starting to look like a pricey placeholder.
Yet amid the gloom, Moore emerges as a tantalizing beacon of hope. The sophomore sensation, who bolted from UCLA to Oregon, has been lighting up defenses with his arm talent. Across his college journey, he’s racked up an impressive 30 passing touchdowns, including a scorching 19 through the first half of 2025. His career stat line? A crisp 266 completions out of 424 attempts for 3,431 yards, those 30 scores, and just 13 picks—good for a solid 62.7% completion rate that hints at pro-level poise.
Infante raves about Moore’s hot start this season: a cannon for an arm, razor-sharp anticipation on throws, and athleticism that sets him apart in a league craving mobile QBs. Sure, he’s not a ground-game monster, but his wheels add a dangerous wrinkle—86 career rushing attempts, with 40 of them in 2025 netting 131 yards. It’s not Lamar Jackson territory, but it’s enough to keep defenses honest and extend plays when the pocket crumbles.
Drafting Moore wouldn’t just be a pick; it’d be a declaration of war on the status quo. Snagging a first-round QB barely a year into Smith’s megadeal screams “transition mode activated.” The financial handcuffs on Smith mean 2026 could morph into a gritty bridge season, with the rookie likely marinating on the bench, absorbing the pro game before seizing the reins. It’s a calculated gamble, betting on Moore’s upside to outshine the short-term pain.
As the Raiders’ slide potentially locks them into a top draft slot, the conversation isn’t if they’ll shake things up at QB—it’s when they’ll concede that the Geno Smith chapter is slamming shut. In the high-stakes casino of the NFL, Vegas might just be rolling the dice on a new ace. Buckle up, Raiders Nation; the quarterback carousel is spinning faster than ever.