As we enter the pre-training camp lull and we desperately try to fill that football-shaped void in our souls, let’s take a moment to look ahead to next year’s draft. While this scenario may seem premature, it’s important to approach these selections with caution. Having said that, we have enough tape available to attempt a mock draft. For this exercise, we will have the Las Vegas Raiders picking 15th, since I have them going 9-8 this year.
Let’s start with the Raiders’ first-round pick.
Round 1, Pick No. 15: The Raiders Select… Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Given what has been going on with Christian Wilkins, the fact that Adam Butler is getting up there in years, and Tyree Wilson not being a true defensive tackle, the Raiders may be looking to beef up their defensive interior. At 6’3″ and 315 pounds, Woods has plenty of beef. In spite of that, he is also sneakily a talented athlete. There were times this past year when Clemson put him on the edge and even dropped him into coverage. However, at the NFL level, he projects as a true interior defensive lineman.
Woods heads into the 2025 season as possibly the best defensive tackle in college football. He uses his brute strength to maintain his gap despite facing nearly constant double teams. As a pass rusher, Woods pairs that strength with tremendous explosiveness to be a big-time threat up the middle. He already looks like a tremendous prospect at just 20 years old. He still has some rawness to his game that makes his ceiling even higher.
If the Clemson prospect falls to the Raiders, it would be wise for Las Vegas to take advantage of the opportunity. We will proceed to the second round.
Round 2, Pick No. 47: The Raiders Select… Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
The Raiders watched their top three linebackers, Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo and Luke Masterson, all walk out the door this offseason. To replace them, Las Vegas has brought in several aging veterans in Elandon Roberts, Devin White, and Jaylon Smith. They are also counting on 2024 fifth-round pick Tommy Eichenberg to step up in his sophomore season. Needless to say, there is a good chance that linebacker will be a major area of need next offseason.
Enter Harold Perkins Jr. The LSU linebacker is a phenomenal athlete with sideline-to-sideline speed. He also pairs that speed with the strength to take on blockers and rush the quarterback. Most importantly, Perkins boasts exceptional coverage skills.
An ACL injury ended Perkins’ 2024 season prematurely. That is a big reason why he will likely fall to the second round. However, the injury occurred in September. Perkins should return to full strength for the majority, if not all, of the 2025 season. As long as the tape checks out, the Raiders could find their Deablo replacement with this pick.
Round 3, Pick No. 79: The Raiders Select… Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC
We are going all defense for the Raiders on the first two days of the draft. The Raiders focused heavily on offense in this year’s draft and lost several defensive starters this offseason, suggesting that 2026 could be the year to bolster their defensive line. For this pick, Las Vegas looks to add to the secondary.
Ramsey would give the Raiders a physical defensive back that can move around a lot, playing as both a safety and as a nickel corner. On top of his hard hitting, he has great instincts and breaks on the ball with authority. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who will be looking to replace a lot of production in the secondary, could find Ramsey’s athleticism to be a valuable addition.
There are some concerns with Ramsey’s consistency as a tackler and his ability to turn his instincts into interceptions. He also may not be able to be a true deep safety. Luckily, he would not have to play right away, as Las Vegas does have a fair amount of depth. The upside makes this pick well worth it on Day 2.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for the upcoming 2027 mock.
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