The college football season is back, and for the Las Vegas Raiders, Week 1 brings a first look at a handful of 2027 draft names worth tracking. It’s early, so the tape may be limited, but several of these matchups offer exactly the kind of test that can start separating future draft risers from the pack.
One of the most intriguing corners on the board is Ify Obidegwu of Oregon. The redshirt sophomore started turning heads last season after winning a job over veteran Theran Johnson, who has NFL hopes of his own.
At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Obidegwu already looks the part physically, and the athleticism matches the frame. Boise State should give him plenty to handle, especially if the Broncos steer away from Brandon Finney on the other side.
That makes this a useful measuring stick for whether Obidegwu looks ready for the NFL now or starts to feel more like a 2028 name.
Another young corner to watch is Tulsa’s Elijah Green. He broke out as a sophomore with five interceptions and brings a 6-foot-2, 195-pound build that fits what teams want on the outside.
Green’s coverage ability stands out, and he’s willing to get involved at the line and against the run too. The concern is competition, which is why Oklahoma State looms large here.
The Cowboys are one of only two Power Four teams on Tulsa’s schedule, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker adds another layer to the test.
On the offensive side, Clemson receiver TJ Moore checks a box the Raiders could use. He’s 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, giving him the kind of “X” receiver profile Las Vegas doesn’t really have right now.
Moore started to emerge as Clemson’s top target last season and looks positioned to keep building on that. He separates well, runs routes with intelligence, and has reliable hands.
LSU should provide a real look at whether he’s added any strength, because his lighter frame can be an issue when corners get physical. For now, he sits as a potential Day 2 target for Las Vegas.
The other side of that Clemson-LSU matchup brings Princewill Umanmielen, and he’s the kind of edge player who can make life miserable for offenses. He chose to stay in college and follow Lane Kiffin to LSU for another year, and at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he has the length and burst that jump off the screen.
Umanmielen posted nine sacks in 2025, and there’s more to his game than just rushing the passer. He once played off-ball linebacker at Nebraska, where he showed flashes in coverage and run support.
In a Raiders context, he could fit as a strong complement to Maxx Crosby at outside linebacker in Rob Leonard’s 3-4 defense. The question is whether he can hold up better against the run, since he’s still a little thin for offenses that want to come right at him.
Even if he never gets much bigger, his pass-rush value could still carry him.
Later in the week, UCLA’s Rodrick Pleasant is another corner worth a closer look. At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, he’s even smaller than Raiders rookie corner Hezekiah Masses, and like Masses, he’s an undersized outside corner.
Pleasant’s best NFL path, though, looks more like nickel, where his quick feet and loose hips help him stay with slot receivers. The same concern follows him as it does other smaller defensive backs: can he add enough strength to help in run support?
At 175 pounds, that’s a real question. Still, he profiles as a solid Day 2 prospect to monitor.
A few more names are worth keeping on the radar this weekend as well: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU; Whit Weeks, LB, LSU; Keshaun Singleton, WR, Auburn; Byrum Brown, QB, Auburn; Ahmad Moten, DL, Miami; Justice Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech; and DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor.
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