What is the story about?
The NFL Draft wrapped up a little under 2 weeks ago, and Las Vegas slotted in 10 rookies, plus a magnitude of undrafted rookies. It’s not too soon to start scouting for the 2027 NFL Draft, and while things will change drastically, the work in the buildings has already begun, and will only continue to evolve over summer into the season. Las Vegas’ needs will change drastically, the roster will change, and players will surprise or disappoint. The 2027 NFL Draft is excellent, the talent is deep from
quarterback to safety, and I’ll break down those players over the summer with some fun summer scouting to keep an eye on.
* The Draft Order is Currently Based on SB Odds, which puts the Raiders with the 5th overall pick *
TRADE: LV Sends 1.5 & 2028 5th to Titans for 1.7, 2.39, and 7.224
- It’s a way too early mock draft in 2026, the Raiders only have 6 picks at the moment for the 2027 class and I don’t think John Spytek is going to let that stay the case. I wanted to take Jeremiah Smith at 5th overall, but I was jumped by the Commanders who went from 1.11 to 1.4 with the Browns to take him. Adding an extra 2nd for moving down two spots still gives some pretty excellent value to be had.
Round 1, Pick 7 (via TEN): DT David Stone, Oklahoma
- Stone is electric, and in most classes I could see him as a top 3 pick, but the depth and talent in the 2027 class pushes him pretty much down to a top 10 pick instead. He’s 6’3/308 and a pure dominant defensive tackle. Stone is coming off a 2025 with 42 tackles, 9 TFL, and 1.5 sacks while adding 27 pressures, a 11.1% pass rush win rate. Stone will see more snaps this season, he’s going to be a dominant player vs both the run and pass, and while he’s likely to make an NFL impact immediately as a run defender, Stone plays with a ton of lower body technique, bend, first step quickness, and his hand combat skills show an ability to push the pocket and eventually develop true 7+ sack production from the interior. Stone is going to rise this season, and he’d give the Raiders an excellent force on the interior to pair with their other defensive lineman on a front that will be built on three down skills.
Round 2, Pick 37: WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
- Following 2027, I have a hard time imagining that Becker fell to the second round, but currently he sits around the 40s, and at 37 it’s a no brainer. Becker didn’t really see much production till week 9 vs UCLA where in weeks 1-3 he had just 5 receptions, 70 yards, and a touchdown. He then exploded in week 9 on to end the season with 34 receptions, 679 yards, and 4 TD. Becker profiles as the second receiver for the Indiana offense behind Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh. Becker is a true X receiver at 6’4/210, and he was a favorite target of Fernando Mendoza, and I’d have to imagine Las Vegas will do what they can to get Becker in Las Vegas. He’s a fluid route runner, sinks his hips well, drives on the ball, works out of his frame, and shockingly shows some good YAC skills. Becker is fluid, he won’t be a burner, but he’s a guy who can work all phases of the field, win contested catches (13/17 in 2025), and doesn’t drop the ball either with 0 drops on his 2025 film. Becker is going to rise, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s the LV first round pick next year if they pick more towards the 14-17 range instead of top 10.
TRADE: LV Sends 2.39 (via TEN) to PIT for 2.46 & 3.78
- The simulator offered it and I took it, it’s a way too early mock draft and I want to have fun. The value adds in, and with how deep this class is I can’t complain adding more picks. This is the last trade don’t worry!
Round 2, Pick 46 (via PIT): SAF Bray Hubbard, Alabama
- With Jeremy Chinn a free agent, I had to take a shot on adding another safety into the mix. Additionally, with Taron Johnson potentially on his way out as well, that also adds some questions into the secondary as well. Hubbard is coming off a 2025 where he nearly doubled his snaps, and logged 80 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 INT, 7 PBU, and 3 FF. He cut down the missed tackles, and also improved as a run defender as a whole, with better form, angles, and he used his full body through each rep. Hubbard fits what Las Vegas is seeking in a defensive back, versatility. He’s logged 385 snaps at Strong Safety, 182 as a nickel defender, 364 at FS, and 315 in the slot. Hubbard has the frame at 6’2/220 to step into the Chinn role and play a big nickel defender, but he’s also showing the ability to drop back into 20+ yard coverages, work as a roaming strong safety, and he’d allow the Raiders to work either Dalton Johnson at FS, or slide him into the nickel and run Hubbard more as a strong safety options. Hubbard could rise, and he’s a really fun prospect to watch.
Round 3, Pick 69: IDL Santana Hopper, Colorado
- Hopper has been super fun, he’s a little bit of a tweener on the defensive line, but you can’t find a more athletic, twitchy, and just pure athlete on the defensive line than Hopper. A linebacker in high school, he started his career at Appalachian State (no bias I promise), then to Tulane, and now Colorado. Through three seasons at Appalachian State he logged 71 tackles, 17 TFL, 9 sacks, and 2 FF then 31 tackles, 11 TFL, and 7 sacks at Tulane. Since 2023 he has logged a pass rush win rate north of 17%, and he should see a big season this year at the power four level. Hopper has elite first step quickness, good twitchy, great bend, and his movement skills get him to the backfield quickly. He’ll struggle to defend the run at times, needing to add more mass, but he’s got a good mentality, anchor, and hand combat skills. Of Hopper’s 1432 career snaps, he’s spent 60% at either 4 or 5T, and the other 40% as a 3, 2, or 1 which gives LV versatility. He’s also played some as a wide 7. Despite adding David Stone 7th overall, the Raiders defensive interior has it’s struggles, Hopper provides a true pass rusher to compliment the higher run defense ability of Stone, and the two can help to boost a Raiders interior pass rush that can compliment the talent on the EDGE.
Round 3, Pick 78 (via PIT): ILB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
- Viliamu-Asa may fall for his torn ACL late in the 2025 season which will cause him to possibly miss the first 3-4 games in 2026. That said, he’s one of the best linebackers in college, logging 85 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 5 PBU, and 2 FR in his first two seasons over 775 snaps. He added 37 run stops, and allowed just 16 receptions (22 targets), 218 yards, and 2 TD with a 96.4 QBR in his career which included just 65 yards on 10 receptions in 2025. Viliamu-Asa shows elite run defense instincts, he has sidleine to sideline movement ability, good initial burst, fluid hips, and excellent range in both the run and coverage. Viliamu-Asa has a good frame at 6’3/230, works well between the tackles, and he has functional strength to play. He’ll need to clean up the tackling, too often getting out of place, over pursuing, or just missing with a bad angle (15% in career). He’ll add elements as a blitzer as well, but Viliaum-Asa has true pro bowl potential at linebacker. The Raiders have Nakobe Dean & Quay Walker, but with both having some injury concerns, plus a team wanting to play diverse, Viliamu-Asa can step in as a third strongside linebacker who matches up well on tightends and also gives you a possible out to replace one of those above if needed.
Round 4, Pick 104: EDGE Trey White, Texas Tech
- White transferred to Texas Tech after four seasons at San Diego State where he logged 129 tackles, 31 TFL, and 19.5 sacks including 19 TFL in 2024. He’s logged 100 pressures in the last two seasons along with a 19.8% pass rush win rate, 78 run stops, and all 19.5 sacks. White has some questions with his length at 6’3/255, but he plays with exceptional twitch, burst, and quickness. White shows a good ability to bend the EDGE, run the hoop, plays with pure violence, and his hands are quick and active. He’ll likely never be a top pass rusher, but he provides a very high floor as a starting pass rusher who can defend the run well with good anchor, hand combat, and instincts vs the run (former ILB). White shows good movement, and with Las Vegas having a good EDGE room, they are likely moving on from Malcolm Koonce after 2026 which would allow White to step in as a possible starter opposite Crosby or a third pass rusher to Keyron Crawford/Kwity Paye.
Round 5, Pick 143: TE Chris Corbo, Georgia Tech
- Las Vegas is slated to have Michael Mayer hit free agency after 2026, and Mayer should cash in as a possible starter on some teams. Las Vegas could retain him, but they may also move another direction. Regardless, I think the Raiders would add another TE, and Corbo is a phenomenal fit though I can see him rising later on. The 6’5/260 TE transferred to Georgia Tech after four years at Dartmouth with 86 receptions, 912 yards, and 11 touchdowns across the last two seasons where he’s been a 2x All-Ivy first team selection. Corbo moves well, he’s got good route running, and he’s extremely physical. That said, Corbo wins as a run blocker, he’s got a massive frame, wide base, and simply fires off the ball to move defenders. He can line up to down block linebackers, but also works to block defensive ends as well. He may not be a true starter for his lack of receiving upside, with some limited athleticism, and his route running needs work but for a Las Vegas team wanting to run heavy 12 and 13 personnel, Corbo can kick into the Mayer role to keep Bowers on the Y role.
Round 6, Pick 184: WR Jordan Faison, Notre Dame
- The former Walk-On, Faison is an elite athlete. He played lacrosse, started to play football, and has since abandoned lacrosse (where he was the 1st ranked player in his class out of HS). Faison is a slot receiver, but he also works out wide, and he can be a quick riser. He’s shifty in open space, is an elite YAC receiver, and his movement off the line of scrimmage is good. Faison has to refine a lot of the receiver traits, he has some concerning drops at times, isn’t a great route runner, and he also needs to do better going out of his frame. That said, you bank on the elite athlete especially one who can move in space, be a true YAC threat (6.1 YAC/reception), sink his hips, and does a lot of things most receivers can’t. Faison has improved each season including a 2025 where he hauled in 49 receptions, 640 yards, and 4 TD while also having 5 contested catches on 10 targets and did cut his drops but still had some concerning ones. Las Vegas has Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor who play similar roles, but with Tucker a pending FA, Faison adds depth to the room or can take a role as a starter with strong development.
Round 7: Pick 224 (via TEN): DB MJ Cannon, Cincinnati
- Cannon worked from Illinois State to Bowling Green, and now Cincinnati, where he’ll land in the NFL. The 6’3, 210 cornerback moves like he’s 6’3, but he’s got good footwork, shows the long speed, and his best trait is his versatility, ball skills, and physicality. Cannon is coming off a 2025 season with Bowing Green where he logged 60 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 5 PBU, and a FF. Additionally, he allowed just 27 receptions, 250 yards, and 2 TD with a 71.5 QBR. Cannon has a career 21 PBU & 8 interceptions through three seasons. He’ll need to improve his tackling, with poor form, lack of angles, and he doesn’t use his whole body as he should with his frame. Cannon has 417 snaps as the nickel safety defender, 101 at FS, 522 in the slot, and 1201 on the boundary which allows Las Vegas versatility in their secondary with other defensive backs. Cannon shows traits, he could rise, and you can’t really teach his ability to find the ball, knock it out of defenders hands, and break on the ball in zone coverage.
