Overview
- Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report projected on August 15 that Las Vegas would use the No. 8 pick in 2026 to draft South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
- Smith, due to turn 36 next season, carries minimal guaranteed money after 2026, positioning him as a bridge-quarterback and mentor for a developing rookie.
- Sellers posted a 65.6 percent completion rate for 2,534 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2024 while rushing for 674 yards and seven scores.
- ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. hailed Sellers as the “ultimate dual-threat” and likened his upside to Josh Allen’s skill set.
- The scenario remains speculative pending the Raiders’ 2025 record to secure a top-10 pick and Sellers producing an elite college season next year.