Who should be on Las Vegas’ radar for Day 3?
Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft was an eventful one for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders made several trades and ended up drafting four players, three on the offensive side of the ball. Now, the attention turns to the fourth round and the 108th overall selection of the draft, and below is a look at 10 players who are likely on Las Vegas’ radar.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders’ slide is by far the biggest surprise and story of the draft. Talent-wise, he’s certainly worth a Day 2 pick at the least. But here he is, still available heading into the final round of the weekend. At this point, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Raiders to take a flier on the Colorado product as a potential quarterback of the future.
Below is a snippet from Sanders’ scouting report via Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson.
Overall, Sanders’ natural and pure passing abilities are the strength of his game. He is a high-floor prospect with a good ceiling to buy into. Sanders is best suited for a quick-passing offense, where he can play on time and on schedule. He has the mental aptitude and accuracy to become a franchise-leading quarterback.
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
On a similar note, Howard and Chip Kelly won a National Championship together just a few months ago, putting the quarterback on Las Vegas’ radar. The former Buckeye is another signal-caller who is worth taking a flier on to see if he can develop over the next few years.
Below is a snippet from Howard’s scouting report via Parson.
Overall, Will Howard has the tools and abilities teams look for in a developmental prospect. He offers an NFL skill set but projects as a backup behind a veteran. Howard’s flashes of passing upside, along with his rushing ability, will be enticing to an NFL franchise later in the draft.
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
The Raiders still need a nose tackle and Farmer has the potential to fill that role. He might need a year or two to develop, but the former Seminole is a solid run defender who has good size to work with at 6-foot-3, 314 pounds and over 35-inch arms.
Below is a snippet from Farmer’s scouting report via B/R.
Farmer stands out the most as a run defender. When he shoots his hands straight from the ground, he’s hard to move with one-on-one blocks and has plenty of upper-body strength to lock out offensive linemen and take advantage of those long arms. Also, he can get penetration when slanting with his quickness and agility.
Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images
Phillips could step in and immediately take over the starting nose tackle spot. He’s a stout run defender who can hold his gap against double teams and shows some athleticism to have upside as a pass-rusher. Admittedly, I seem to be higher on Phillips than most, but he fills a need for the Silver and Black.
Below is a snippet from Phillips’ scouting report via B/R.
Jordan Phillips is one of the better nose tackle prospects in this year’s draft class. As his weight room numbers suggest, he’s as strong as a bull and plays with good pad level, which makes him effective against double-teams. He attacks and can defeat the man he’s lined up across from, and he’s effective at using a corkscrew technique to stay in his gap against double-teams.
Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma
Free safety is another spot the Raiders should look to address early in Day 3, and Bowman might be their best option. He can patrol the backend of the defense and was a ballhawk at Oklahoma, collecting 11 interceptions in three seasons, including six in 2023 with three pick-sixes.
Below is a snippet from Bowman’s scouting report via B/R’s Cory Giddings.
Billy Bowman Jr. is a smart, instinctual safety prospect with the versatility to play at multiple levels of the defense. Known for his football IQ and aggressive play style, Bowman has made an impact at Oklahoma with his physical run defense and reliable coverage skills, despite his lack of size and length.
Craig Woodson, S, Cal
Woodson is another safety to keep tabs on during Day 3 of the draft. He’s had solid ball production over the last three seasons, racking up five interceptions and 18 passes defended to be another free safety option.
Below is a snippet from Woodson’s scouting report via Giddings.
Craig Woodson projects as a mid-round selection with the potential to carve out a meaningful role as a versatile safety in a defense that leverages his physicality and high motor. While his long speed and underneath zone instincts may limit his ceiling as a full-time free safety, his aggressive nature, strong tackling, and ability to match up with tight ends make him a valuable chess piece in sub-packages or as a hybrid defender. With his competitive edge and versatility, Woodson has the tools to contribute as a rotational safety with the potential for spot-starting duties early in his career.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Las Vegas also could use some linebacker help after losing Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo during free agency. Stustman could be a great replacement for Spillane as he plays with his hair on fire and can be a force against the run.
Below is a snippet from Stutsman’s scouting report via B/R.
As a run defender, the Sooner is best when blitzing as it allows him to play fast and use his impressive speed rather than sit back and read the play. Also, he has solid rip and cross-chop moves to defeat blocks when coming downhill. …Overall, Stutsman has the physical profile of a linebacker who can be an every-down contributor, but the team that drafts him will need to be patient and work with him on his instincts in both phases of the game.
Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
Bassa is another one of “my guys,” as I think he has the physical profile to be a complete linebacker. The Oregon product is athletic to help in coverage and physical to become a quality run defender. In my opinion, he’s what the Raiders were looking for when they drafted Deablo four years ago.
Below is a snippet from Bassa’s scouting report via B/R.
Jeffrey Bassa is a solid modern-day linebacker who has the potential to become a complete player at the next level. He has some experience as a defensive back, which shows in his athletic ability and coverage skills. Also, he has a good frame and a physical demeanor to grow as a run defender. …Bassa’s instincts as a run defender are a work in progress, too, as he’ll occasionally get caught guessing. But he’s shown a high football IQ and can be an every-down contributor with more experience and some time in the weight room. Overall, he can become a starter by his second season in the NFL and could be a good fit as a SAM linebacker.
Chris Paul, LB, Ole Miss
If Las Vegas is looking for a coverage linebacker, Paul is the organization’s best option. He has the movement skills to cover tight ends and running backs in man coverage, and can click and close to be effective when playing zone.
Below is a snippet from Paul’s scouting report via B/R.
Against the run, the Ole Miss product has good sideline-to-sideline range, can make offensive linemen miss and move gap-to-gap well. However, his instincts and ability to take on blocks and stay in his gap need work. The latter can be solved in the weight room as he has skinny legs, but the former could be a bigger issue in the pros. Overall, Paul’s traits are worth betting on and he’d be a good fit as a WILL linebacker. It might take some time, but he can potentially become a quality starter in the NFL during his rookie contract and maybe even by year two.
Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF
The Raiders also need a nickel corner, and McWilliams fits that profile. At 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, he’s on the smaller side but is physical to help in run support and can be effective in zone coverage.
Below is a snippet from McWilliams’ scouting report via Giddings.
Mac McWilliams is a feisty and instinctual cornerback who plays with intensity and toughness despite his smaller stature. At 5’10” and 181 pounds, he makes up for his lack of ideal size with quick footwork, aggressiveness and smart play in coverage. …McWilliams brings a competitive edge to run defense, triggering quickly and showing a willingness to take on blockers and make tackles. He uses his quickness to slip past blocks and get to the ball-carrier, often shooting at their legs to bring them down.