Articles by Vincent Bonsignore

Raiders fans have plenty of questions about the team’s plans in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday.
General manager John Spytek and coach Pete Carroll discussed the draft at a news conference Friday and said the Raiders are considering all options.
Here’s a sampling of what arrived in this week’s mailbag:
Matt Berger (@matt_berger): Can you envision the Raiders passing on drafting a quarterback and waiting until next year, when the class is supposed to be deeper?
Vincent Bonsignore: Yes, assuming they don’t take a quarterback with their first-round pick at No. 6 and don’t trade back into the first round.
Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jackson Dart and Jalen Milroe might be gone by the time they draft at No. 37 in the second round.
After that, you are essentially just comparing Aidan O’Connell to Tyler Schough, Kyle McCord, Dillon Gabriel or Will Howard. If Spytek, Carroll and minority owner Tom Brady don’t like them as much as O’Connell, there’s no reason to draft them.
Dana Wagner (@DanaNews3LV): I could see the Raiders taking a cornerback at No. 6, understanding the team’s need and Carroll’s love of defensive backs. Am I crazy?
Bonsignore: Not at all.
But do they think there is a cornerback who is worthy of the sixth pick? Or would they feel more comfortable in a trade-down scenario in which they draft a cornerback at, say, No. 12 while also getting more picks.
That feels like a more realistic scenario compared to picking one at No. 6.
Raiderspy1 (@DAP7219): What type of players are the best to draft? Best available, to fill a need or blue-collar?
Bonsignore: It sounds cliche, but a combination of all of them.
This is a deep draft, so it’s not unrealistic to think the Raiders can’t find the best available player who also fits a need in each round.
AZ_Raider75 (@AZRaider75): Have to love offensive tackle Kolton Miller missing reps with a new offensive coordinator and line coach. When did he first complain about not having a new contract? Could the Raiders get a second- or third-round pick for him?
Bonsignore: Anyone who was paying attention could have seen this coming. Miller is going into the final year of his contract, and his $12.2 million salary is not guaranteed. There was little chance he would report under those circumstances.
It’s his only leverage. And he has every right to use it.
Whether it gets the Raiders to the bargaining table is the main question. If it doesn’t, that pretty much says where the Raiders stand right now. It means they aren’t interested in extending the relationship or they want to evaluate Miller in their system this season.
Jordan from Oregon (@Jordan65257407): Who is your favorite UNLV prospect who visited the Raiders?
Bonsignore: Linebacker Jackson Woodard and wide receiver Ricky White.
Go Raiders (@GoRaiders19): Have you heard if the Raiders are pursuing Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey?
Bonsignore: Ramsey is owed $21 million for this season and probably wants a new deal, or at least a commitment to guarantee most, if not all, of his remaining contract.
That’s a lot of money for a cornerback who turns 31 in October.
If the acquisition cost is minimal, and Ramsey is open to reworking his contract to a more reasonable number, the Raiders might be interested.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Raiders general manager John Spytek and coach Pete Carroll will speak to the media at 11 a.m. today.
Spytek and Carroll will brief reporters ahead of next week’s NFL draft.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Two late-season wins seemingly took the Raiders out of contention for one of the top two quarterback prospects in the NFL draft.
Now, less than a week from the start of the draft, the Raiders face the real possibility of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders being available to them at pick No. 6.
But do they still want him?
After trading for veteran Geno Smith, the Raiders no longer feel the urgency to add a quarterback early in the draft. And it wouldn’t be a shock if they didn’t address the position with any of their nine picks.
With Kolton Miller skipping the voluntary offseason program as he tries to secure a new contract, the Raiders might feel compelled to draft an offensive tackle in the first round. Or maybe coach Pete Carroll’s and general manager John Spytek’s penchant for building strong defensive fronts means they will look to defensive tackle.
Nothing is for certain. Nevertheless, we took one final shot at a seven-round mock draft for the Raiders before they are on the clock Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Here’s what we came up with:
First round, No. 6
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is an obvious pick — assuming Jeanty is still on the board. There is growing speculation that the Jaguars might take him with the fifth pick.
Jeanty would be a great fit for a Raiders offense that lacks difference-makers, has averaged fewer than 20 points per game for two straight seasons and turned winnable games into losses through sheer ineptness. He will not single-handedly transform the offense, but no player in the draft packs a more impactful punch.
Second round, No. 37
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Both of the Raiders’ projected starting linebackers are on one-year deals, and there is uncertainty and inexperience behind them. Don’t be surprised if they invest heavily in the position, with the fast-rising Schwesinger a perfect fit for Carroll’s defense. The former walk-on projects as an every-down linebacker in the NFL, with more than adequate pass coverage skills to complement an instinctual feel and field range to defend the run.
Third round, No. 68
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison could go higher, but the hip injury he suffered last season might push him into the third round. If so, the Raiders should jump at the chance to add one of the most scheme-friendly and experienced cornerbacks in the draft. Morrison projects as an immediate starter who will offer elite coverage and ball skills. He had nine interceptions in his first 25 games.
Fourth round, No. 108
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
If not for some technical issues, Walker could be a late first- or second-round pick. He needs time to develop, but it’s rare to see such an athletic player at 6 feet, 8 inches and 320 pounds. He could become a mainstay on the line for years to come.
Fifth round, No. 143
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
The remake of the offense gets another playmaker in Johnson, a slightly built yet explosive do-it-all weapon. The Raiders will eventually have to find their No. 1 receiver, but Johnson would be a matchup nightmare for defenses tasked with covering Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and Jeanty.
Sixth round, No. 180
Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
The Miller situation could affect what the Raiders do much higher in the draft. Either way, they would be wise to add a developmental player with upside. Vinson could be the perfect candidate as a raw prospect. The 6-7, 315-pounder was a five-year starter at left tackle in college.
No. 213 (compensatory pick)
Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders add an intelligent linebacker who has proven viable as a run and pass defender. Kiser adds immediate special-teams capabilities and could take over as a starter by 2026.
No. 215 (compensatory pick)
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
Powell-Ryland’s lack of physical stature and traits probably will push him to this point in the draft. But he’s been one of the premier pass rushers in college football the past two seasons with 25½ sacks. He has the tools to develop into a rotational edge rusher on passing downs.
Seventh round, No. 222
Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati
It doesn’t always look pretty, but Kandra usually figures out a way to protect his quarterback and open holes for running backs.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller is not participating in the club’s voluntary offseason program as he seeks a contract extension, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Miller, 29, is entering the final year of his deal. His $12.256 million salary for the upcoming season is not guaranteed.
The two sides are not currently working on a new contract, according to the source.
Miller got off to a slow start last year after spending the offseason rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He still recovered to finish as the NFL’s 13th highest-graded offensive tackle, according to the website Pro Football Focus.
Miller has been a stalwart for the Raiders since being selected in the first round in 2018. The team has undergone several regime changes since then. Whether Miller gets his desired extension will be determined by general manager John Spytek and coach Pete Carroll, who were hired in January.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders lost safety Tre’von Moehrig in free agency this offseason, but rebounded by signing veteran Jeremy Chinn to a two-year deal.
The team also brought back restricted free agent Isaiah Pola-Mao on a two-year contract.
Adding Chinn and keeping Pola-Mao sets the Raiders up at safety next season and lessens their need to add an immediate starter in the draft, which begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But coach Pete Carroll has indicated the team could use more three-safety looks next year, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he chooses to take one at some point.
Here’s a look at where the Raiders stand at safety and how the team could approach the position in the draft:
Current depth chart
Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Trey Taylor, Thomas Harper, Chris Smith II
Level of need: Medium
The Raiders have their two starting safeties and believe Johnson, another free-agent addition, can play a role on their defense.
The rest of the group is unproven. Taylor, a 2024 seventh-round pick, and Harper, who went undrafted last year and was claimed off waivers before the start of the season, bring interesting skills to the table. But there’s a chance the Raiders look to add extra pieces.
First-round prospects to watch: Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; Malaki Starks, Georgia
The Raiders likely won’t take one of the top two safety prospects with the sixth overall pick. But they could come into play if the team trades down.
Emmanwori, 21, is a versatile player and had 88 tackles and four interceptions at South Carolina last season.
Starks, 21, is a big, physical safety that is still working on his coverage skills. He has the potential to be a star at the next level if he straightens some things out.
Second-to-third-round prospects: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame; Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State; Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma; Jonas Sanker, Virginia; Andrew Mukuba, Texas; Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
The Raiders could consider Watts with their second-round pick at No. 37 overall. The 23-year-old had 13 interceptions the last two seasons, which speaks to his playmaking ability.
Winston, 21, was limited to three games last year due to a knee injury. He could still be a strong value pick in the third-round as a run-stuffing safety that’s solid in coverage.
Fourth- through seventh-round prospects: Malachi Moore, Alabama; Jaylen Reed, Penn State; Maxen Hook, Toledo; Dante Trader Jr., Maryland; Marques Sigle, Kansas State; Rayuan Lane III, Navy; Malik Verdon, Iowa State; Kitan Crawford, UNR; R.J. Mickens, Clemson; Alijah Clark, Syracuse; Mike Smith Jr., Eastern Kentucky; Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin; Sebastian Castro, Iowa; Dan Jackson, Georgia; Craig Woodson, Cal
Moore, 23, lined up all over the field at Alabama and had 70 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a sack last season.
Adding him in the fourth round would give the Raiders an experienced player they could plug into multiple spots on their defense.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders lost starting linebackers Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo in free agency this offseason. The replacements they brought in — Elandon Roberts and Devin White — are both on one-year contracts.
That makes it seem likely they have their eyes on some prospects that could help plug the holes in the middle of their defense.
This draft, which begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is expected to be deep in potential starters at linebacker. That means the Raiders could wait until the second or third round to address one of their largest needs.
Here is a look at where the team stands at linebacker and how it could approach the position in the draft:
Current depth chart
Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Tommy Eichenberg, Jackson Mitchell, Kana’i Mauga, Amari Burney, Amari Gainer, Brandon Smith
Level of need: High
Roberts and White are capable of providing solid play for the Raiders. But they’re short-term solutions and the options behind them have limited experience.
That means it’s crucial for the team to find a player who can compete for playing time right away or at least be a capable backup in case injuries arise.
First-round prospects to watch: Jalon Walker, Georgia; Jihaad Campbell, Alabama.
Walker and Campbell don’t seem like options for the Raiders with the sixth overall pick.
If the team trades down, however, both would be solid additions to coach Pete Carroll’s defense.
Campbell, 21, led Alabama in tackles (117), tackles for loss (11½) and sacks (five) last season. Walker, 21, is a movable chess piece that can line up at inside linebacker, outside linebacker or edge rusher. Carroll loves players like that.
Second-to-third-round prospects: Carson Schwesinger, UCLA; Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma; Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon; Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia; Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina.
The Raiders have been linked to Schwesinger, who played under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at UCLA. He could make sense for the team’s second-round pick at 37th overall.
Schwesinger, 22, had 90 tackles last season and showed an ability to make plays sideline to sideline. He projects to be an every-down player in the NFL.
Fourth- through seventh-round prospects: Cody Simon, Ohio State; Jack Kiser, Notre Dame; Teddye Buchanan, California; Shemar James, Florida; Nick Martin, Oklahoma State; Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss; Kobe King, Penn State; Barrett Carter, Clemson; Kain Medrano, UCLA; Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota; Eugene Asante, Auburn; Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State; Jalen McLeod, Auburn; Francisco Mauigoa, Miami; Jackson Woodard, UNLV; Jay Higgins, Iowa; Carson Bruener, Washington; Jailin Walker, Indiana; Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky; Chandler Martin, Memphis
Kiser and Buchanan are two names to watch.
Buchanan has been linked to the Raiders throughout the draft process, while Kiser’s smarts stand out. Each would be a strong pick on the third day of the draft.
Kiser, 24, was an every-down player by his senior year and finished with a career-high 90 tackles.
Buchanan, 22, was a star at UC Davis before transferring to Cal for his final year of college football. He totaled 114 tackles and five sacks last season.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is taking on a second job.
Crosby’s alma mater, Eastern Michigan, has named the Raiders’ star pass rusher the assistant general manager of its football program.
Crosby’s roles will include helping evaluate high school and transfer portal prospects, assisting in managing the program’s name, image and likeness/revenue share budget, and providing help in fundraising, alumni relations and student-athlete support.

The Eagles will change the name of their LEO position to “Maxx,” and the player who earns that role will wear the No. 92 jersey Crosby wore at Eastern Michigan.
“There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University,” Crosby said in a statement released by Eastern Michigan. “It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of the EMU, but together with my wife, Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes to be impacted by the EMU program, community, students and alumni.”
More and more college programs are enlisting the help of former players in key roles, but Crosby is the first active NFL player to take on such a job.
“It’s always special when former players return to be part of our staff, and this is truly a full-circle moment,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said in a statement. “There’s something powerful about staying in one place and building something meaningful over time — Maxx is a shining example. He has already positively impacted our program, and now we’re taking it to another level. His passion for mentoring and developing our players is inspiring.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders didn’t make many additions at defensive tackle in free agency. They retained Adam Butler, Matthew Butler and Zach Carter, while bringing in 26-year-old free agent Leki Fotu on a one-year contract.
That’s in part because the Raiders hope they’ll improve next year simply by having Christian Wilkins healthy. The 29-year-old, after signing a four-year, $110 million contract in free agency, was limited to just four games last season due to a foot injury.
The Raiders believe Wilkins can be a disruptive force in the middle of their defensive line. That doesn’t mean they won’t add a defensive tackle in the draft for depth in case injuries strike again. Raiders coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek have built their teams around their defensive lines in the past.
Here’s where the team stands at defensive tackle and how it could approach the position in the draft, which begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin:
Current depth chart
Christian Wilkins, Jonah Laulu, Adam Butler, Leki Fotu, Zach Carter, Matthew Butler, Tyler Manoa
Level of need: Moderate
Wilkins’ return will be huge for the Raiders. They missed his game-wrecking power in the interior last year.
Adam Butler played well in Wilkins’ absence, but he’s better suited to being a rotational player. Laulu was a good find on the waiver wire in August and the Centennial High grad played meaningful snaps by the end of the year.
Fotu was limited by hamstring and knee injuries last season with the Jets but he and Carter can provide solid depth.
It’s a decent group, but the Raiders could help themselves by adding another impact player if one is available. It helps that this year’s draft class is considered deep at defensive tackle.
First-round prospects to watch: Mason Graham, Michigan; Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Derrick Harmon, Oregon; Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Graham, 21, is one of the top players in the draft. He has rare skills as a run stuffer and pass rusher, which means there’s no guarantee he’ll still be on the board when the Raiders pick sixth overall. If he hasn’t been taken yet, it might be hard for the team to pass on his talent.
Graham, who had 46 tackles, a pass breakup and 3½ sacks last season, could form a formidable front four with Wilkins and defensive ends Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce.
Grant, Harmon and Nolen, unlike Graham, aren’t expected to be picked early in the first round.
Second-to-third-round prospects: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State; Shemar Turner, Texas A&M; Darius Alexander, Toledo; Alfred Collins, Texas; T.J. Sanders, South Carolina; Joshua Farmer, Florida State; Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee; Jordan Phillips, Maryland; Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech; Ty Hamilton, Ohio State; Ty Robinson, Nebraska; Jay Toia, UCLA; Cam Jackson, Florida
This draft is loaded with potential starters, so the Raiders don’t need to reach for a defensive tackle in the first round.
Alexander, 24, would be an intriguing addition in the third round with the 68th overall pick. He had 40 tackles, four pass breakups and 3½ sacks last season at Toledo.
Fourth- through seventh-round prospects: Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon; Deone Walker, Kentucky; Rylie Mills, Notre Dame; Cam Horsley, Boston College; Yahya Black, Iowa; Vernon Broughton, Texas; CJ West, Indiana; JJ Pegues, Ole Miss; Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia; Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU; Warren Brinson, Georgia; Tim Smith, Alabama; Eric Gregory, Arkansas; Elijah Simmons, Tennessee; Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina; Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech; Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
The Raiders have six picks on the final day of the draft — one in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, as well as three in the sixth — so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they loaded up on linemen.
Caldwell, 24, and Mills, 23, would both be strong value picks if the team can snag them late. Caldwell had 29 tackles and a forced fumble last season, while Mills had 37 tackles and 7½ sacks.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Quarterback Geno Smith is under contract for the next three years after signing an extension with the Raiders. That doesn’t mean people aren’t already thinking about his potential successor.
The Raiders’ long-term plan at quarterback is one of several topics fans have questions about. Here’s a sampling of what arrived in this week’s mailbag:
Leandro (@LeandroRaiders): Everybody knows that the future Raiders franchise quarterback is in the draft. Why invest $66.5 million and a third-round draft pick for probably half a year of starting and more than one year of backup production when they already have Aidan O’Connell for this role?
Vincent Bonsignore: That’s not the Raiders’ game plan.
They guaranteed Smith, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, $58.5 million in his extension. They didn’t invest that kind of cash in him with the hopes that he’d start just half a season. Not to mention the third-round pick they sent to the Seahawks to acquire Smith.
A more likely scenario is that Smith starts the next two years for the Raiders and then the team has a decision to make before 2027. Whether they keep Smith or not will depend on his level of play and whether they found a young quarterback they believe in.
Kyle Walsh (@therealKW65): If the Raiders are (in) win-now (mode), what’s their best win-now draft move?
Bonsignore: Taking Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick. Both would give the team an immediate boost.
Alan in Vegas (@alaninvegas): Any chance they move off (defensive end) Tyree Wilson if they draft a defensive lineman?
Bonsignore: There is no real upside to the Raiders moving on from Wilson, short of someone making them a compelling trade offer.
The seventh overall pick in 2023 doesn’t cost much and despite his underwhelming production — he has eight sacks in 33 games so far — he still has plenty of upside. Keep in mind defensive end Malcolm Koonce didn’t blossom until his third NFL season.
Wilson has been a disappointment so far. But the Raiders shouldn’t give up on him just yet.
YD (@Lacobs_Ladder): We haven’t heard anything about Wilson this offseason. How is he looking, what is he working on and what’s his outlook for this season?
Bonsignore: The Raiders began their offseason program this week, so it should be clear soon how Wilson plans to attack the upcoming campaign.
The 24-year-old should face competition for snaps this year after the team re-signed Koonce to play across from star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Mera (@MisterGetOff): Any word on possible changes to our offensive line?
Bonsignore: The lone addition the Raiders have made is signing guard Alex Cappa to a two-year, $11 million contract in free agency. That seems to indicate they are satisfied for the most part with their offensive line.
That said, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Raiders added a prospect in the draft.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Raiders general manager John Spytek understands his team could use an impact player at wide receiver.
“We want to have an explosive playmaker out there,” Spytek said last week at the NFL’s annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. “And if we can find one, we’ll do it.”
Spytek also knows the Raiders have a unicorn in tight end Brock Bowers. The former Georgia standout had a record-breaking rookie season last year and showed he can be the top option in the team’s passing game. That means the Raiders’ need for an elite, No. 1 wide receiver is somewhat lessened.
“Brock kind of functions to me like a legit number one,” Spytek said. “I mean, he’s just different. And I know he’s not the speed guy down the field and all that, but he’s a problem.”
That doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t add to their wide receiver room once the draft begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It’s just a matter of when they decide to make a move.
Here’s where the Raiders stand at wide receiver and tight end and how they could approach those positions in the draft:
Current Depth Chart
WR: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Ramel Keyton, Kristian Wilkerson, Jeff Foreman, Kyle Philips, Alex Bachman, Shedrick Jackson, Tyreik McAllister
TE: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Justin Shorter, Ian Thomas
Level of need: Medium
The Raiders are set at tight end. They have an All-Pro in Bowers and a talented No. 2 in Mayer, their second-round pick in the 2023 draft. Mayer is expected to play a larger role under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
It’s a different story at wide receiver. Meyers had 1,027 yards last season, but the Raiders could use more consistent options alongside him.
First-round prospects to watch:
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; Matthew Golden, Texas
McMillan, 22, could make sense for the Raiders with the sixth overall pick. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds and had 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He would give quarterback Geno Smith a huge target next to Bowers and Meyers.
Golden, 21, is another big-time talent, but he may not be worthy of a top-10 pick.
Second to third-round prospects:
WR: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Luther Burden III, Missouri; Jaylin Noel, Iowa State; Jayden Higgins, Iowa State; Tre Harris, Ole Miss; Jack Bech, TCU; Jalen Royals, Utah State; Isaiah Bond, Texas; Elic Ayomanor, Stanford; Kyle Williams, Washington State; Tory Horton, Colorado State; Savion Williams, TCU
The Raiders may choose to grab a pass catcher on the second day of the draft given their pressing needs elsewhere.
Burden, 21, and Egbuka, 22, make sense as targets for the team’s second-round pick at 37th overall.
Burden had only 676 yards this past season after totaling 1,212 in 2023, but he’s one of the most talented wide receivers in this draft class. Egbuka had 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns last year playing under Kelly at Ohio State.
Iowa State’s two prospects could also fit the Raiders.
Higgins, 22, is a big target listed at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds. Noel, 22, is a speedster that ran a 4.39 second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
Fourth- through seventh-round prospects:
WR: Tez Johnson, Oregon; KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn; Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech; Chimere Dike, Florida; Tai Felton, Maryland; Arian Smith, Georgia; Pat Bryant, Illinois; Nick Nash, San Jose State; Ricky White III, UNLV; Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee; Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas; Xavier Restrepo, Miami (Florida); Bru McCoy, Tennessee
TE: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame; Jake Briningstool, Clemson; Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse; Moliki Matavao, UCLA; CJ Dippre, Alabama; Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska; Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
Johnson, 22, could be a steal on day three of the draft. He ran a slower-than-expected 4.51 second 40-yard dash at the combine, but speed didn’t appear to be an issue when he totaled 898 yards at Oregon last season.
White would be an interesting pick for the Raiders regardless of his local ties. Not only did he have 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, but he led the nation in blocked punts with four. He could earn a role right away on special teams.
The Raiders could look to add a developmental tight end late in the draft, or they could just try to sign one or two undrafted free agents to compete for a roster spot.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]