Most teams know how they’re stacking up with the rest of the NFL and what their future is going to hold plus what they’re going to need. Additionally, the NFL has a good idea of where college football’s top prospects stand and at this point losing teams have a good shot to start looking towards April.
Round 1, 8th Overall: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Simpson has been highly productive in his first season starting for Alabama. The 22 year old has sat behind multiple QBs at Alabama and has learned the position well. He’s logged 20 touchdowns to just
one interception with a 68% completion rate and 2184 yards. Simpson has a good arm, displays the ability to make NFL caliber throws while also being extremely comfortable in the pocket. The Raiders can’t go into 2026 with Geno Smith at quarterback, especially with Smith ranking in the bottom 10 of almost every advanced metric. Simpson is young, does have some concerns with his lack of starting time but displays high end mental traits for the position in college while also displaying NFL caliber quarterback traits. The Raiders absolutely have to find a way to make a move at QB this off-season.
Round 2, 40th Overall: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Johnson is a long physical cornerback at 6’1/195 and displays excellent NFL traits both in size and athleticism. Johnson has logged 38 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PBU, and a forced fumble this season along with two touchdowns on interception returns. In coverage, Johnson has allowed just 13 receptions for 141 yards and a 16.4 QBR. The 21 year old has been a phenomenal man and zone corner this season, displays elite tackling (4.5% Miss rate in his career), and a high IQ at the position. Johnson has the ability to make a play on the ball in coverage, has high end athletic traits, and should translate to the NFL well given his IQ. The Raiders lack talent at cornerback with Kyu Blu Kelly struggling and Eric Stokes a pending free agent. Darien Porter deserves the chance to start, and Johnson should do the same in 2026.
Round 3, 72nd Overall: SAF Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Las Vegas has seen struggles from Isaiah Pola-Mao this season and Jeremy Chinn hasn’t had the chances to play nickel LB as often as the Raiders have likely preferred him too. Wheatley has a great frame at 6’2, 210 and displays above average athletic traits with quick initial burst and excellent instincts at safety. Wheatley has the versatility to slide across the defense logging over 350 snaps at SS and NCB along with his 1100+ snaps as a high safety. Wheatley is a productive player with 198 tackles, 6 interceptions, 6 PBU, 3 FF, 2 FR, and 5 TFL in his career along with allowing just 302 yards, 4 TD, and a 82.1 QBR in his career. Las Vegas needs a ball hawking safety who can make plays in C2, C3, and their C1 system.
Round 4, 108th Overall: WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota St
Lance is likely to headline the next round of North Dakota State standouts heading to the NFL and the 6’3/209 senior receiver has been nothing short of sensational. Last year, Lance logged 75 rec, 1071 yards, and 17 TD and through 9 games in 2025 he’s posted 36 receptions, 703 yards, and 4 TD. In two seasons as well, Lance has logged 22 contested catches on just 30 targets. Lance is the brother of former top three pick Trey Lance, and shares a ton of similar traits, Lance is a highly athletic player with elite physical tools and should run somewhere in the 4.47-4.52 range. He displays exceptional hands, high end route running, and an elite ability to high point the ball on contested situations. Lance is shifty after the catch and a tough tackle, along with having incredibly strong hands only dropping two passes in the last two seasons. He’s not a deep threat but a reliable target anywhere within 15 yards and in the redzone. The Raiders traded Jakboi Meyers and need to continue to add talent to their receiving room.
Round 4, 128th Overall (via JAX): ILB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
The Raiders need to continue to add talent to their defense, and after addressing needs at CB and SAF, Rodriguez can provide a boost at the linebacker position. Las Vegas has seen Devin White be productive this year but he’s struggled heavily in coverage and hasn’t shown the athletic traits that landed him inside the top 5 back in 2019. Elandon Roberts and Jamal Adams have been fine veteran options but can’t be longterm starters. Rodriguez is an older prospect at 23 but has been highly productive the last two seasons with over 200 tackles, 19 TFL, 6 sacks, 3 INT, 9 PBU, 3 FR, 2 touchdowns, and 8 FF. Rodriguez has a stout 6’1/230 frame but displays the ability to be a violent player in the run game, though missed tackles are a minor issue. Rodriguez has good movement skills, solid range, and a high understanding for the run game. He’s shown flashes of coverage traits allowing a 91.1 QBR in his career. Las Vegas has to address their linebacker core, and Rodriguez can provide a young boost.
Round 4, 135th Overall: EDGE Clev Lubin, Louisville
More defensive help continues for the Raiders with Lubin who transferred to Louisville this season and has maintained his production. The 22 year old has 5.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and 33 tackles this season along with 38 pressures and a 24.3% win rate. He’s a touch undersized at 6’3/245 but shows exceptional bend and twitch off the EDGE with a stout frame that also helps him to defend the run well. Lubin flashes NFL caliber traits as a pass rusher but is raw and will need to develop his technique. The Raiders haven’t seen a ton from Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce is working back from a torn ACL. Adding to the pass rush department is never a bad idea.
Round 5, 172nd Overall: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Tacario Davis wasn’t highly recruited out of high school getting just 3 offers, before landing at Arizona. The 6’4/205 CB has shown flashes but has also struggled. Davis posted 15 PBU and an INT in 2023 and has seen a dip in production as well with just 2 INT, 8 PBU, and a forced fumble the last two years. Davis has remained productive and has allowed a 44.1 QBR this season. He’s a strong outside cornerback who does display some stiffness at times but subtle athletic qualities as well. Davis has a knack for the football, good hips and fluid feet which should allow him to transition to an NFL system. Davis struggles in man coverage with his lack of fluid lower body agility and struggling with long speed, in terms of his initial burst Davis shows good traits and can be a natural player in a simple zone system. The Raiders already added Chris Johnson and now swing on Davis to pair with Darien Porter and possibly a veteran or Eric Stokes. Davis is someone you want to swing on and bank on his size, instincts, and understanding of the position.
Round 6, 186th Overall: OL Kage Casey, Boise State
Casey paved the way for Ashton Jeanty mainly lining up at LT and while he could stick there he’s likely going to slide into the interior offensive line at the NFL. At 6’5/311 he’s done a good job over the last three seasons logging a little over 2300 snaps and allowing just 4 sacks and 41 pressures (27 came in 2023). The anchor of the Boise State OL, Casey has good movement skills and a strong upper body. He’s a good sound run blocker who has power and ability to consistently get to the 2nd level and make lanes. Casey flashed vs upper level competition, and has the ability to pass protect at a good level as well. The Raiders have Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, and Charles Grant and with 2025 3rd rounder Caleb Rogers the path to playtime for Casey could be interesting but Casey has the talent to push for a spot quickly.
Round 6, 198th Overall (via JAX): DL Santana Hopper, Tulane
Hopper transferred from Appalachian State to Tulane for the 2025 season and he’s remained the dominant player he was with the Mountaineers. The 6’3/270 DL has played across the board logging 363 snaps at NT, 183 at 3T, and 567 at 5T, and 78 at 87 Tech. Hopper has a career 94 tackles, 24 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 FR, and 2 FF including 7.5 TFL and 3 sacks this season. He’s posting a career 17.2% pass rush win rate from the defensive line, with another career 71 pressures and 51 stops. An ideal pass rush defensive tackle, Hopper has exceptional first step quickness and athleticism from the interior defensive line, he’s quick and fluid utilizing his full athleticism to win. Hopper also displays good power and an ability to anchor vs the run or bull rush. The Raiders have a bunch of players on the interior with Thomas Booker, Jonah Laulu, Adam Butler, JJ Pegues, and Tonka Hemingway among others however adding another body to the IDL can never be a bad thing.
Round 7, 221st Overall: RB Desmond Reid, Pitt
Did the Raiders just draft a RB 6th overall, yes, but adding another one to complement the room is smart. Raheem Mostert and Zamir White are gone, Reid is small at 5’8/175 but an electric player with 494 att, 2963 yards, and 24 touchdowns with just one fumble over his college career. He’s a shifty player in space, with electric long speed and shifty lower body skills that allow him to accelerate quickly and with strong initial burst. Reid is strong for his size and does have the ability to break tackles while also forcing missed tackles as well. He displays good vision and an elite ability to have breakaway runs. Reid has forced 132 missed tackles in his career with another 50 in the receiving game and 21 in the return game. As a receiver Reid would add a solid receiving option to the Raiders with a career 109 receptions, 1283 yards, and 7 TD. He has the ability to line up from the backfield or split to the slot and as a returner he’s posted 18 PR, 267 yards, and 2 TD this season.
