If you're not already doing your homework for the 2027 NFL Draft, then you're behind. Luckily, the Las Vegas Raiders' college scouting department is out and about across the country, evaluating talent and speaking to important folks as they prepare to build this team's future with in-house talent.
Obviously, the Raiders don't know where they'll be picking next April, nor who will be available or who will even declare for the event. Plus, a million things will change between now and then as the season takes shape, the needs shift in Las Vegas, and the pre-draft process plays out in its entirety.
But as a team or a fan, it never hurts to get ahead and watch some college football in the fall so that you are prepared and knowledgeable for the spring. With that in mind, here are five new prospects that the Silver and Black should be enticed by after their big Week 8 performances.
Raiders should keep tabs on these 5 big Week 8 college football performers
Isaiah Sategna III, WR, Oklahoma
Sategna III isn't a prototypical No. 1 wide receiver, but he is an obvious Tre Tucker replacement if he decides to test the open market and leave. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, though, Sategna III is a lightning bolt, a more nuanced route-runner than he gets credit for, and a dynamic returner as well.
On Saturday, against a good crew of big and long Mississippi State corners, Sategna III caught 8 balls for 164 yards and a touchdown, including 36- and 54-yard catches. He also ran 3 times for 24 yards. Sategna had one bad punt return and no kick returns on Saturday, but that was an anomaly.
Kade Pieper, G, Iowa
Pieper, to most, projects as a center at the NFL level. But he's been great at guard this year, and if he adds some mass to his 6-foot-3 and 298-pound frame, he can stay there at the professional ranks. Week 8 of the college football calendar was another example of why he projects as a pro guard.
Against a good Minnesota team, Pieper pitched yet another shutout in pass protection, giving up no sacks, hits or hurries, and he performed well enough in the run game as well. Pieper needs to grow in some areas, certainly, but it's a weak guard class, and he's worth a look after some solid showings.
Justin Kirkland, DT, BYU
The Raiders did a lot of local scouting last year to fill out their rookie minicamp and undrafted free agent class, and Kirkland is just down the road at BYU. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Kirkland is a big A-gapper on defense who can both stop the run and help get after the quarterback.
He has continually gotten better this season, and Kirkland had his best showing on Saturday. Against UCF, he had four pressures, including a sack, as well as four tackles, two stops and a batted pass. The best part is that he played 27 of his 39 snaps at the 0- or 1-techs, and that's what Las Vegas needs.
Jasper Beeler, SAF, Cincinnati
Beeler is getting better every week as the former D2 and Northern Illinois safety adjusts to Power 4 football. At 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, the versatile defensive back needs to gain some weight if he wants to be an NFL prospect in the spring, but Beeler has a lot of nice tools that teams could covet.
For one, he is a great tackler and a major asset as a run defender. He had 11 tackles and 6 run stops on Saturday, and he has also added a pressure on blitzes in each of the last two weeks. Beeler forced a fumble against No. 8 Texas Tech this week, too, and he's been as solid as they come in coverage.
Ryan Wingo, WR, Texas
Cam Coleman was supposed to be the guy at Texas. But the incumbent Ryan Wingo is out-producing him on a weekly basis, as he's got 12 more catches and 108 more receiving yards this year. It was the same story against Ole Miss, as Wingo had 7 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman had 1 catch for 12 yards and a brutal drop on a walk-in touchdown.
WIngo isn't the physical speciman that Coleman is, but at 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds, he has the ability to play on the outside, but he's twitchy and physical enough to play in the slot. He's not great with contested plays, but Wingo is very good after the catch and has cleaned up his early drop issues.
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