2027 NFL Draft Notebook: Raiders mock reunites Mendoza with familiar face, RB sleeper rises

The Las Vegas Raiders started the season with a promising 3-0 record, but four consecutive losses have raised questions about the team's direction heading into the second half of the season. With a challenging stretch ahead, Las Vegas could soon shift its attention toward building around 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

In my latest three-round mock draft, the Raiders address several key needs, including reuniting Mendoza with a familiar target who could give their young quarterback a much-needed boost.

This week's NFL Draft Notebook also features Montana running back Eli Gillman as my Sleeper of the Week, along with a look at South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers as a potential fit for the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, we'll examine several prospects whose 2027 NFL Draft stock is shifting, including an intriguing small-school wide receiver and two highly regarded prospects facing uncertain futures.

Las Vegas Raiders 3-round mock draft

The Las Vegas Raiders got off to a strong start this season, opening with a 3-0 record. Unfortunately, tougher competition has caught up with them, as they have now lost four consecutive games. Things could get worse, too, with four of their next five games coming against teams with winning records. If the struggles continue, the Raiders could turn their attention toward the future and building around 2026 first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

To give Mendoza the support he needs to succeed, Las Vegas will have to add several key pieces in the 2027 NFL Draft. In this three-round mock draft, the Raiders address some of their biggest needs while adding young talent to build around their franchise quarterback.

Round 1, Pick 13: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana

The Raiders' biggest priority this offseason should be upgrading a wide receiver room that ranks among the weaker units in the NFL. What better way to address that need than by adding one of Fernando Mendoza's former go-to targets at Indiana in Charlie Becker?

Becker is a big, physical receiver who excels at winning contested catches and coming down with jump balls. He also possesses some of the most reliable hands in the 2027 NFL Draft, having yet to record a dropped pass during his college career. Adding Becker would give Mendoza a familiar target who could develop into a dependable weapon in the Raiders' passing game.

Round 2, Pick 44: Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee

Another priority for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason should be upgrading one of the NFL's weakest defenses. One area that needs attention is defensive tackle, where the Raiders have struggled to generate interior pressure, recording just two sacks from the position this season. Their issues up front have also contributed to a struggling run defense that is allowing 144 rushing yards per game.

Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam could help address both problems. After starting just two games at Penn State last season and recording two tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, Gilliam has emerged as a disruptive force in 2026. Through eight games this season, he has already recorded 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Beyond his impressive production, Gilliam's explosive first step and athleticism give him the potential to become a difference-maker on the Raiders' defensive line.

Round 3, Pick 79: Kade Pieper, OG, Iowa

After adding an explosive receiving weapon for Fernando Mendoza in the first round, the Raiders turn their attention to protecting their franchise quarterback by selecting Iowa offensive guard Kade Pieper. Upgrading the interior offensive line should be a priority for Las Vegas, as its starting guards have surrendered a combined 28 pressures this season. Adding a young, talented guard could help give Mendoza more time to operate in the pocket.

Pieper would also bring an Iowa connection to the Raiders, joining former Hawkeye Tyler Linderbaum. An explosive offensive lineman who combines impressive athleticism with the kind of farm-boy strength associated with Iowa's offensive line tradition, Pieper has the potential to develop into a reliable starter. If he continues to refine his technique at the next level, he could become a long-term piece of the Raiders' offensive line.

Sleeper of the Week: Montana RB Eli Gillman

The FCS has produced its share of elite NFL running backs, including Brian Westbrook, David Johnson, and the greatest of all time, Walter Payton. This season, Montana’s Eli Gillman is making a strong case that he could be the next small-school running back to carve out a long, productive NFL career.

Gillman has been a standout since his early days at the college level, earning the 2023 Jerry Rice Award as the FCS Freshman of the Year after rushing for 968 yards and 12 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. He followed that performance with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and was named the 2025 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year.

This season could be his most dominant yet. Gillman is averaging a career-high 127 rushing yards per game while recording a career-best 7.1 yards per carry. His signature performance came against UC Davis, when he rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns in one of the most impressive individual performances in college football this season.

While that production will certainly attract NFL scouts, the bigger question is whether Gillman's skills will translate to the professional level. I believe they can. I currently have a sixth-round grade on Gillman and see him as a potential high-quality NFL backup for several reasons. His excellent vision and patience allow him to identify running lanes and take advantage of openings in the defense. He also possesses impressive quickness, which has helped him break off 30 runs of more than 10 yards this season.

So why do I have only a sixth-round grade on him? The biggest concern is that Gillman does not possess an elite trait that separates him from other NFL running back prospects. Although he shows good quickness, questions remain about his long-term speed. Running a 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds or faster before the draft would help strengthen his case to be selected. He also displays solid power but may struggle to consistently run through NFL defenders. Additionally, his hands in the passing game remain a concern, as he has recorded three drops this season, according to PFF. However, Gillman is a well-rounded runner who does several things well, and that versatility could help him enjoy a lengthy NFL career.

One team that could be an excellent fit for Gillman is the Seattle Seahawks. Although Seattle spent a first-round pick on Jadarian Price in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team's running back depth could become a concern this offseason, with Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Zach Charbonnet all set to become free agents after the season. The Seahawks also have two sixth-round picks, making Gillman a potential late-round investment who could provide valuable depth behind Price.

NFL Draft news and notes

LaNorris Sellers could be an intriguing fit for the Eagles

One of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft is South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. His upside is difficult to ignore, with impressive arm strength, an imposing 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame, and blazing 4.4-second speed. However, Sellers will need to land in an offensive system that maximizes his dual-threat ability, similar to how the Baltimore Ravens utilize Lamar Jackson or the Philadelphia Eagles deploy Jalen Hurts. Sellers is still a developing passer who needs to improve his consistency and timing as a thrower. Finding the right coaching staff and offensive scheme will be critical to his development at the next level. Philadelphia could be an intriguing potential fit, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Hurts’ long-term future with the organization.

Grand Valley State WR Kellen Reed is a small-school prospect to watch

Grand Valley State wide receiver Kellen Reed is an intriguing small-school prospect for the NFL Draft after producing at an elite level this season. He has recorded 59 receptions for 1,062 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a five-touchdown performance against Wayne State. Reed is also a dangerous return specialist and holds Grand Valley State’s all-time record with four kickoff-return touchdowns. At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, the slot receiver lacks ideal NFL size, but his quickness, agility, playmaking ability, and special teams value could make him a candidate for a seventh-round selection.

Brown helps Texas make a statement

Texas needed a statement win against Ole Miss, and running back Raleek Brown helped deliver one with his best performance of the season. Brown set season highs with 23 carries for 157 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry against the Rebels. His breakout performance came after a quieter two-game stretch in which he recorded fewer than 10 touches in each contest and totaled just 69 yards. The strong showing could help Brown regain momentum as an NFL Draft prospect. The Minnesota Vikings are one team to watch as a potential late-round landing spot, particularly with questions surrounding their running back room heading into the offseason.

Trevor Goosby injury could shake up 2027 NFL Draft offensive tackle rankings

Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby entered last weekend as my top-ranked offensive tackle in the 2027 NFL Draft. His impressive mobility, strength, and 6-foot-7, 325-pound frame had me viewing him as a potential franchise left tackle at the next level. Unfortunately, Goosby suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss on Saturday, dealing a significant blow to his draft outlook. The injury could also limit his participation in the pre-draft process and potentially lead him to return to Texas for another season. If Goosby declares for the 2027 NFL Draft, he could now fall behind LSU’s Jordan Seaton as the second offensive tackle selected.

Jordan Marshall's declining production raises NFL Draft concerns

Michigan has struggled this season, and while much of the attention has focused on the quarterback play, running back Jordan Marshall has also failed to produce at the level expected. Last season, Marshall averaged more than six yards per carry and nearly four yards after contact. This year, those numbers have dropped significantly, with Marshall averaging just 3.9 yards per carry and 46 yards per game. Entering the season, he was viewed as a potential high Day 3 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, his declining production has raised questions about his draft outlook, and if he declares early, he could risk going undrafted altogether.

Penn State CB Audavion Collins is flying under the radar

Penn State has not gotten off to the start it hoped for under new head coach Matt Campbell, but cornerback Audavion Collins has quietly emerged as one of the team's brightest defensive standouts. This season, Collins has allowed just four receptions for 28 yards while recording eight pass breakups, establishing himself as one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. His quickness immediately stands out on film, allowing him to stay with receivers and disrupt passes at the catch point. Collins could be an intriguing fit for the Buffalo Bills, who need to address their secondary and could find excellent value by targeting the Penn State cornerback in the late second round.

Dante Moore's draft slide could create an unexpected opportunity for Browns

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a concussion against USC in late September, head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday. The news raises questions about how NFL scouts will evaluate Moore, who entered the season as my top-ranked quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft but has since fallen to No. 25 overall on ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board. Despite the setback, Moore remains an intriguing prospect thanks to his polished passing ability and impressive arm strength. His absence has also exposed Oregon’s offensive struggles, with the Ducks scoring just 10 points in a loss to Illinois. The Cleveland Browns could be a team to watch if Moore falls to the middle of the first round, potentially giving them an opportunity to land a quarterback with considerable upside.

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