NFL Draft Notebook: Why Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman fit the Raiders' future

The Las Vegas Raiders found their franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. The next step in accelerating his development is surrounding him with more playmakers, making wide receiver one of the organization's biggest priorities entering the 2027 NFL Draft.

In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we break down two wide receivers who could transform the Raiders' offense, rank the top five tight ends in the 2027 NFL Draft, and cover the latest news and notes from around college football.

The final piece of the offense

Entering the season, the Raiders' pass-catching group ranks near the bottom of the NFL, and much of its value comes from All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers. At wide receiver, Jalen Nailor is better suited as a complementary option than a true number one target, while Jack Bech and Tre Tucker have yet to prove they can consistently produce as starting-caliber receivers. If Las Vegas wants to maximize Mendoza's potential, adding a game-changing receiver should be a top priority next April.

Fortunately for the Raiders, the 2027 NFL Draft features two elite receiver prospects who could become Mendoza's go-to target for years to come.

The headliner is Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, the best wide receiver prospect to enter the draft since Ja'Marr Chase. Smith has dominated college football from the moment he stepped on campus, earning Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year honors in each of his first two seasons. At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, he combines rare size with elite speed and explosive playmaking ability, leading the nation with six receptions of at least 50 yards in 2024. He also possesses outstanding hands, dropping just two passes last season, making him one of the safest and most complete prospects in recent memory.

If Smith is off the board before the Raiders pick, Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman could be an outstanding alternative. After producing despite inconsistent quarterback play at Auburn, Coleman now enters the season catching passes from Arch Manning, a partnership that could send his production soaring. At 6-foot-3, Coleman is an outstanding athlete with exceptional body control and ball-tracking ability, traits that helped him record 13 contested catches last season according to Pro Football Focus. His ability to adjust to underthrown passes and win on back-shoulder fades would make him an ideal fit with Mendoza, who consistently excelled throwing that route during his final season at Indiana.

Whether the Raiders land Smith or Coleman, either receiver would dramatically upgrade the offense. Pairing one of them with Mendoza, Brock Bowers, and 2026 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty would give Las Vegas one of the NFL's most exciting young groups of skill-position players and provide the foundation for a dynamic offense for years to come.

Top five tight ends in the 2027 NFL Draft

1. Trey'Dez Green, LSU 

For the first time since 2022, the tight end position may not produce a first-round pick, with LSU's Trey'Dez Green currently holding the top spot on my board despite carrying only a second-round grade. A former high school basketball star who averaged 27 points per game, Green is one of the most athletic tight ends in the country. At 6-foot-7 and 237 pounds, he moves more like a big wide receiver than a traditional in-line tight end, a trait that helped him set LSU's single-season tight end record with seven touchdown receptions last year. To reach the first round, however, Green must become a more reliable pass catcher after dropping 13 percent of his targets last season and show greater physicality as a blocker.

2. Jamari Johnson, Oregon

While I have LSU's Trey'Dez Green ranked as the top tight end in the class, many draft analysts view Oregon's Jamari Johnson as the number one prospect at the position. Johnson's biggest strength is his physicality after the catch, as he averaged 9.1 yards after the catch last season while forcing seven missed tackles. However, I don't see the elite athletic traits that typically warrant a first-round selection. Johnson lacks top-end speed and does most of his damage in the intermediate passing game, which is why he carries a third-round grade on my board despite receiving a consensus mid-first-round projection from Mock Draft Database.

3. Luke Reynolds, Virginia Tech

While Oregon's Jamari Johnson may be slightly overrated, one of the sleepers in this tight end class is Virginia Tech's Luke Reynolds. Reynolds' biggest strengths are his athleticism and quickness, which consistently allow him to create separation from defenders, as evidenced by him catching 74 percent of the passes thrown his way last season. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he is a physical runner after the catch who isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yardage, helping him average six yards after the catch. If Reynolds can improve his technique as a run blocker this season, don't be surprised if he climbs draft boards and comes off the board early on Day 3 of the 2027 NFL Draft.

4. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech

The most productive tight end in this year's class is Texas Tech's Terrance Carter Jr., who enters the season after posting back-to-back 600-yard receiving campaigns. His ability after the catch is what separates him from the rest of the field, as his 23 forced missed tackles last season led all FBS tight ends by six. The biggest concern with Carter is his size. At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, he lacks the ideal frame of a traditional NFL tight end, which could lead some teams to view him as more of an H-back or fullback. His size also limits his effectiveness as a run blocker, although he is a willing blocker who consistently plays with good effort in that area.

5. DJ Vonnahme, Iowa 

One tight end who is just beginning to emerge on the national scene is Iowa's DJ Vonnahme. After failing to top 60 receiving yards in any of his first eight games last season, Vonnahme closed the year in impressive fashion by eclipsing 90 receiving yards in each of his final two contests, including a 146-yard performance against Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. That late-season surge could carry over into this fall, especially with Iowa's improved wide receiver corps expected to create more space for him to operate over the middle of the field. One of Vonnahme's biggest strengths is his ability to make contested catches, as he hauled in six of his seven contested targets last season according to Pro Football Focus. If he builds on the momentum from the end of last year, don't be surprised if he climbs into the Day 2 conversation of the 2027 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft news and notes

• A key storyline to watch this season is how Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer responds after last year's thumb injury. Although he has been cleared to throw, renowned quarterback trainer Quincy Avery, who has worked with numerous NFL quarterbacks, has expressed concern that Mateer has altered his throwing motion, making it appear more "pushy" following the injury. That mechanical change could continue to affect his accuracy, which already became more inconsistent last season as he completed a career-low 62 percent of his passes. Despite that decline, Mateer remains one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. A gifted athlete with a third-round grade on my board, he possesses the arm talent and playmaking ability to climb draft boards, but he must prove the thumb injury is behind him by becoming more consistent with his footwork and ball placement this fall.

• In last week’s NFL Draft Notebook we focused on who the New York Jets could take early in the 2027 NFL Draft. A player who the Jets will likely be tracking closely that will end up being a mid-round pick is new BYU linebacker Cade Uluave who started his career at California and was named All-ACC last season. He will likely be firmly on the Jets radar as the team desperately needs to add depth at the inside linebacker spot.

• Missouri's Cayden Green made the move from offensive guard to left tackle in 2025, but his NFL future is likely back inside, where his skill set is best utilized. While his athleticism is solid rather than elite, Green thrives in tight spaces, using his outstanding strength to consistently drive defenders off the ball. His best trait, however, is his pass protection. He earned an 89.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, the second-highest mark in the FBS, and has the talent to develop into an All-Pro caliber guard at the next level.

• After primarily playing offensive guard last season, Michigan is expected to move Jake Guarnera back to his natural position at center, a transition that should only boost his NFL Draft stock. He already proved he can hold up at guard, and another season showcasing his versatility at center will make him even more appealing to NFL teams. While some draft analysts currently project him as a sixth-round pick, his film suggests he is significantly undervalued and carries more of a third-round grade. Guarnera's impressive power and grip strength allow him to consistently control defenders, contributing to him surrendering just two sacks last season. At 311 pounds, he also displays better-than-expected mobility, regularly climbing to the second level as a run blocker while possessing the versatility to play multiple interior offensive line positions at the next level.

• Another highly regarded NFL Draft prospect changing positions this season is Notre Dame's Anthonie Knapp. After spending the past two seasons as the Fighting Irish's starting left tackle, Knapp is expected to slide inside to offensive guard this fall, a move that could ultimately maximize his NFL potential. At 6-foot-4, he lacks the ideal length to remain at left tackle in the NFL, but his skill set projects well on the interior. Knapp is a fundamentally sound offensive lineman who consistently plays with excellent pad level, polished footwork, and strong body control. Those traits, along with his athleticism, make him an ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme and could put him firmly on the San Francisco 49ers' radar in the 2027 NFL Draft.

"I'm a football player. I love football. I'm here to play football. I was a fourth-string center when I first got here, so it's whatever Coach needs. He knows best. Whatever the team needs, whatever Coach needs. If they think I can be pretty good at guard, then I trust them. I'll do whatever it takes to be the best I can be and do what the coach says."

Anthonie Knapp on moving from OT to OG

• The Detroit Lions could be in the market for a cornerback in the 2027 NFL Draft after releasing Terrion Arnold following his armed robbery and kidnapping charges. The move leaves Detroit thin at the position, with D.J. Reed standing as the team's only proven starter. One potential target is Notre Dame cornerback DJ McKinney, who transferred from Colorado to South Bend this offseason. Although injuries limited him last season, McKinney was one of the nation's top cover corners in 2024. Over the final five games of that season, he allowed opponents to complete just 38.2 percent of their passes when targeted while recording six pass breakups and three interceptions. At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, McKinney possesses the ideal size, length, and fluid hips to thrive in man coverage. If he returns to his 2024 form this fall, he has the talent to emerge as a late first-round selection and a strong fit for Detroit's secondary.

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