CFP must-have NFL draft targets for Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders they have 2026 NFL draft a thinking class along with Pete Carroll’s future. He has to sit and watch the College Football Playoff Friday and Saturday to scout future Raiders if he’s ready to return. These include names like Dante Moore and Francis Mauigoa.

Carroll’s seat continues to turn in the heat with the Raiders eyeing a 2-15 season. They also face the top pick in the ’26 NFL Draft.

This means that they can rewrite one mistake from their past. The franchise drafted JaMarcus Russell the last time they held the No. 1 pick. Many Raider fans are already calling for Fernando Mendoza to don the silver and black.

Except he and Indiana won’t start games this weekend — as Mendoza and IU await either Oklahoma or Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. But as far as this weekend’s games go, here are some draft targets the Raiders need to put on their draft board.

Miami OT Francis Mauigoa can help the Raiders right away

Grabbing a KB sounds tempting, especially with Geno Smith adding to the failed experiments of the Raiders in ’25. Smith is already approaching his 40s and may become more suited to mentor a young KB going forward.

More on that possibility later. But the Raiders also need new toughness. Especially with creating holes for last year’s top pick Ashton Jeanti.

Miami’s huge right tackle Francis Mauigoa enters the picture this weekend. He earned All-American honors playing for Mario Cristobal.

The 20-year-old is a player in the run game, but the Raiders should like it his ability to redirect his hips in pass protection. He’s capable of becoming a tone-setter and the first step in creating a new kind of physicality for a franchise that needs it.

Dante Moore is the first QB to follow on the Raiders side

Mendoza is alluring for many reasons. But to reiterate, NFL teams, including Vegas, have to wait 13 days before seeing the Heisman Trophy winner in action.

Still, Oregon’s Moore is treating fans to his dynamism this week.

Moore would bring a rare dual-threat element to the Raiders if they land him. However, he brings a quicker release compared to Smith — allowing him to disrupt the pursuit of the pass rusher. He’s deadly when his feet are properly placed – as he can split defenses deep and through tight windows.

James Madison, however, will try to create an embarrassment and disrupt the timing of his pass. The Dukes bring the nation’s second-best defense to Eugene this weekend. Moore, however, came up big in big games as a Big Ten KB. Moore will make some noise in the first round if he delivers multiple great performances in the playoffs.

Elite edge rushers are also on display

The opening weekend of the CFP is a passerby’s paradise. Music to Max Crosby’s ears here.

The elite pass rusher continues to endure one frustrating season after another in Vegas. And former first-rounder Tyree Wilson arguably played his final season with the team as a disappointing player.

But the weekend features not one, but three elite rushers to watch… starting with Friday’s contest in Norman.

Oklahoma welcomes the return of lead artist R. Mason Thomas, who is projected to break loose against Alabama. He is comparable to former Raiders star Iannick Ngakoue.

Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas

+ Search closing speed
+ Shoot the buckle
+ Relentless engine and active hands
+ High IQ for fast passage
+ Iannick Ngakoue vibes
– Smaller for EDGE
– Reach blockers can wipe him out in the run game pic.twitter.com/6IKOIniruO

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 1, 2025

Miami’s matchup against Texas A&M presents two more talented options to watch. Rueben Bain Jr. he attacks relentlessly with a hot engine and picked up a top-five draft pick. Cashius Howell is another instinctive option, but on the Aggies side. He topped the SEC with 11.5 sacks for the nation’s 19th-ranked defense.

The top rusher will raise his gas. Plus give Crosby a long awaited dog chase buddy.