Because the Las Vegas Raiders are now 3-0 to begin the 2026 NFL season after a Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints, it is getting harder and harder to look ahead to next year's draft. That has been a habit of Raider Nation in recent years, but Las Vegas has something to play for this season.
Still, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on what's going on at the collegiate level. That way, everyone reading and I are more informed when the 2027 NFL Draft approaches next April. By staying up on the information, perhaps we won't be as misguided by the spring shifts in the pre-draft process.
Week 4 of the college football slate was chock-full of great performances that should intrigue Las Vegas, as players at key positions of need are showing out every Saturday. Here were 5 outings that may have the antennas up in the Silver and Black's college scouting department.
5 big performances from Week 4 of the college football schedule that will pique Raiders' interest
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
We said we wouldn't talk about Smith every week because he's the perfect wide receiver prospect, and there is no need to keep beating this drum. But he had 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the Buckeyes' Big Ten win over Illinois. That is deserving of another mention.
With three wins, the Raiders may have already played themselves out of Smith territory in next year's draft. But if, for some reason, Smith is available and Las Vegas is in striking distance, it could justify selling the farm to move up and get him, no matter what happens this season. He is that generational.
Greg Johnson, IOL, Minnesota
Johnson is a potential blue-chipper on the interior, and he's a big and nasty player for the Golden Gophers. He spent the first three weeks at guard but moved inside to center this week and flat-out dominated against Washington, pitching his fourth shutout in pass pro and paving obvious run lanes.
At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds with versatility, Johnson could be of interest to a Raiders team with one, potentially two holes at guard. If he is available when the Silver and Black are on the clock in the first or early second round, Johnson could make a lot of sense to bolster the trenches.
Chris Marshall, WR, Arkansas
Marshall has a good frame at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, and he is starting to come on strong for the Razorbacks' offense. He followed up an 8-catch, 144-yard showing last week against Georgia with a 9-catch, 195-yard, 1-touchdown outing against Tulsa this week.
Not only that, but Marshall blocks well in the running game and averaged nearly 8.0 yards after the catch per reception last weekend. He's broken eight tackles on the year and has caught three of six possible contested catches, so Marshall has a multi-faceted skill set and has true No. 1 potential.
Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
Gilliam came up big for the Tennessee interior against Texas, getting in on two sacks (1.0 officially) and notching four total pressures while also making four tackles, two of which were for a loss, and two stops. At 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, Gilliam is big enough to play the nose for the Volunteers.
In four games, he has played roughly an equal number of snaps at nose and the 3-tech, and he occasionally lines up over or outside the tackle as well. Production meets versatility with Gilliam, and he showed up big in a disappointing loss to the Longhorns.
Jackquintin Bal, SAF, Washington State
Bal is a good-sized safety at 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, and he can line up at multiple spots in the secondary, even if he is primarily a box safety. On Saturday, he broke out in a full-time starting role and recorded a game-high 9 tackles while breaking up a pass and recording a pick-6.
Bonus: Colin Simmons, DE, Texas
Las Vegas shouldn't be picking when Simmons is still available, and defensive end isn't the team's biggest need. But the guy had 10 pressures and 5.0 sacks against Tennessee, along with 8 total tackles. If the Raiders can somehow get their hands on him, oh my...
Add us as a preferred source on Google