Raiders Eye Former FSU Star to Reinforce Defensive Line in Latest NFL Mock Draft
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, mock drafts are flooding the football world with predictions—and one name consistently popping up is former Florida State defensive tackle Josh Farmer. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid recently projected that the Las Vegas Raiders could be the next franchise to benefit from Florida State’s well-known pipeline of elite defensive linemen.
In Reid’s latest seven-round mock draft, he has the Raiders selecting Farmer with the No. 68 overall pick in the third round. This move could add some serious muscle to Las Vegas’ defensive front, especially following their recent acquisition of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency.
“Farmer has the potential to be an early starter at 1-technique alongside Christian Wilkins,” Reid noted. “He is stout against the run and can generate some excitement as a pass rusher.”
That combination of run-stopping strength and interior disruption is exactly what the Raiders have been searching for as they look to build a defense capable of challenging high-powered AFC West offenses.
Farmer is coming off a productive career with the Seminoles, where he quietly became one of the most reliable linemen in the ACC. Over 42 career games, he racked up 80 total tackles, including 21 for loss, along with 11 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. His ability to collapse the pocket and maintain gap discipline helped fuel Florida State’s defensive resurgence in recent seasons.
The Seminoles’ defensive line was one of the nation’s most formidable in 2024, with Farmer anchoring a group that also included Jared Verse and Braden Fiske—both of whom were finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. That pedigree is not lost on NFL scouts, and it’s one of the reasons Farmer is rising up draft boards.
If selected by the Raiders, Farmer would join a defensive unit on the rise, one that’s looking to shake up the AFC West and put pressure on quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Paired with Wilkins, he could thrive in a rotational or even starting role early on, providing valuable snaps and long-term upside.
The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off April 24–26 in Green Bay, and Raider Nation should keep a close eye on pick No. 68—it could be the moment a future defensive difference-maker joins the Silver and Black.