While we’ll have to wait a couple more weeks for the Las Vegas Raiders, there’s finally meaningful football on television this weekend as the college season kicks off with a handful of games.
But even as the season gets underway, draft season never stops. After months of tedious summer scouting, here are some potential 2027 draft prospects to watch this week who should be on the Raiders’ radar.
Melkart Abou Jaoude, EDGE, North Carolina
When the Tar Heels take on TCU to kick off the college football season in Dublin, keep an eye out for No. 9. Jaoude is a consistent edge-setter in the run game, but what really stands out is his ability to get to the quarterback. Last season was his first at the FBS level after transferring from Delaware, and he popped off for 10.5 sacks. If he can build on that, Jaoude could generate a lot of buzz this coming spring.
Right now, though, he only projects as a late-round pick. That’s primarily due to physical limitations. Don’t get me wrong—the size is great at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. However, he’s just not a very twitchy athlete, and his bend is only average. He’s also a fifth-year senior. Nevertheless, production is production.
Moving on to another prospect to watch in Ireland…
Jordan Dwyer, Wide Receiver, TCU
If preseason is any indicator, the Raiders need help at wide receiver. At first glance, you may look at Dwyer’s slight 6-foot, 190-pound frame and think Las Vegas already has plenty of guys on the roster just like him. But one look at the tape will tell you he’s more than just a speedy slot receiver. Dwyer is an extremely fundamentally sound receiver who offers a ton of alignment versatility. On top of being a Biletnikoff Watch List receiver, Dwyer also offers a ton of upside in the return game.
So, what’s the downside? Like Jaoude, Dwyer is also a fifth-year senior with only one year of FBS-level production after transferring from Idaho. His slender frame also raises questions about how much he can do at the next level. That said, he’s definitely someone who could climb into the Day 2 conversation.
Moving on to another game…
Jide Abasiri, Defensive Lineman, USC
This is a name you won’t see anywhere else right now. The true sophomore is a dark-horse pick of mine to have a breakout year in 2026. At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Abasiri’s long frame gives him solid inside-out versatility. However, his best role is likely as a 4-technique at the next level. He’s a high-motor defensive lineman who is constantly looking to make plays against both the run and the pass. Expect him to improve on his 3.5 sacks from last year.
Related: Has Malik Benson done enough to impress you this Raiders preseason?
That said, in order to be ready to come out after this season, Abasiri needs to mature in his gap integrity. He has a tendency to get caught looking into the backfield, which lets the play get by him before he can disengage. That’s typical of a younger player and is very coachable. Don’t be surprised if he’s getting top-50 buzz by the end of the year.
Next, let’s jump over to the other side of the line…
Niki Prongos, Offensive Tackle, Stanford
Prongos looks like a prototypical NFL tackle at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds. He also moves surprisingly well for that size, and the tape backs it up. He pairs a stiff punch with excellent footwork to be a very sound pass protector, and those fundamentals carry over to the run game, where he does a great job sealing off run lanes.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t play with enough power to warrant being more than a fringe Day 2 pick right now. That’s unlikely to change, since he’s a fifth-year senior. One thing that is fixable and worth watching this year: Can he get better at identifying his assignment faster?
For our last prospect, we’ll stay on the offensive side of the ball with another receiver.
Duce Robinson, Wide Receiver, Florida State
At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, Robinson is exactly the type of big-bodied receiver the Raiders are missing on the outside. He has the strength and ball skills to be a major threat down the field. Robinson also moves well enough after the catch to do some slot receiver work, and he won’t be a liability as a blocker, either.
After spending two years buried on a loaded wide receiver depth chart at USC, Robinson finally broke out in 2025 after transferring to Florida State for a 1,000-yard season. If he can build on that production, you may see his name called fairly early in the first two days of the draft. The big thing to watch for this year is whether he shows a more expanded route tree. He’ll never blow anyone away with his speed or shiftiness, but if Robinson can do enough as a route-runner to keep defenders guessing, he’ll have a big year.
Finally, here are a few other prospects I’ll be watching this weekend. These are less Raiders-specific and more just intriguing names to know.
Honorable Mention
Jontez Williams, CB, USC
Elijah Paige, OT, USC
Waymond Jordan, RB, USC
Tucker Ashcraft, TE, USC
Alani Noa, IOL, USC
McKale Boley, OT, Virginia
CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
King Mack, S, NC State
Xavier Chaplin, OT, Florida State
Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Florida State
J’Mond Tapp, EDGE, Memphis
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images