SI projects the Las Vegas Raiders to select Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby at No. 5 in 2027, potentially giving Fernando Mendoza a major upgrade up front.
In Sports Illustrated’s latest projection for the 2027 NFL Draft by Justin Melo, the Raiders are pegged to take Goosby with the No. 5 overall pick. SI’s model has Goosby as its top-ranked tackle prospect entering the season, praising the power he generates as a run and pass blocker. The selection is speculative. A full college season and the actual draft order still stand between now and next April, but it signals where outside evaluators think Las Vegas’ biggest hole will be.
Which route should the Raiders take?
It matters because everything the Raiders do for the next several years runs through protecting Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in April who’s now the face of the franchise. Las Vegas has invested premium capital in playmakers around him, including Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, but the offensive line, particularly right tackle, remains an open question.
The team has young bodies in the room, but general manager John Spytek hasn’t yet found a clear long-term answer at the position. A top five selection spent on a mauler like Goosby would be a strong early proof point that the front office is serious about not letting Mendoza take unnecessary hits behind a patchwork line, the kind of investment that pays off in games saved, not just games won.
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It’s also a cap and roster-building story. Right tackle is one of the few spots where the Raiders can address need and value at once, rather than reaching for a luxury pick while a starting-caliber blocker is still on the board that early.
What happens next is straightforward. Expect mock drafts to keep splitting between offensive line and wide receiver help for Mendoza all fall, with the direction likely swinging based on how the Raiders’ incumbent tackles perform once the season actually kicks off.
Do you think the Raiders should prioritize the offensive line or another receiving weapon for Mendoza next spring?
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