We’re creeping close to the 2026 NFL draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders and the 31 other teams in the league wrapping up their top 30 pre-draft visits on Wednesday. Silver and Black Pride tracked 23 prospects who Las Vegas hosted over the last several weeks, and below is a look at the five most interesting players that visited Sin City.
To clarify, while each player’s draft stock was considered, this isn’t the best prospects who were in town, but rather the most eye-catching.
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DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Speaking of eye-catching, it’s hard to miss the 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive tackle. This visit was likely primarily to get a look at Banks’ injured foot, since it caused him to miss the majority of this past season, and he re-injured it at the NFL Combine. It is interesting that the Raiders are interested in the Florida product, though. He has nose tackle size, but is more of a pass-rusher than a run-stuffer.
That brings up the question of where the coaching staff sees him fitting on the defensive line if the plan is to move to a 3-4 base scheme. However, the defense could use someone who can get pressure on the interior to justify drafting Banks, if his medicals check out.
WR Chris Bell, Louisville
Along similar lines, Bell’s visit was likely injury-related. He tore an ACL in Novemember, so any team that’s interested in drafting the former Cardinal is going to be interested in seeing how his knee is progressing. At one point, Bell was considered a potential first-round pick, and Las Vegas could use some extra talent at wide receiver. So, the Silver and Black could get some bang for their buck by drafting the Louisville product on Day 2, once again, if the medicals check out.
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EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
This one is surprising because this offseason, the Raiders agreed to trade Maxx Crosby, signed Kwity Paye and re-signed Malcolm Koonce in free agency, and then got Crosby back. In other words, they’re pretty set at edge defender right now. However, who knows how much longer Crosby will be in Vegas, Paye is more of a run defender, and Koonce is on a one-year “prove it” deal. Meanwhile, Lawrence is a late riser and an excellent pass-rusher off the edge. He, at the least, could be a good replacement for Koonce down the line.
DB Kamari Ramsey, USC
Ramsey is an interesting draft prospect in general. He was primarily a free safety at UCLA and in 2024 at USC, but the Trojans used him more as a nickelback this past season. The Raiders could use help at both positions, so it makes sense that they’re interested in the versatile defensive back. If the organization drafts Ramsey, it’ll be intriguing to know what the plan is for him. In theory, he could fill the void on the backend of the defense this season and cover the slot when Taron Johnson’s contract expires in 2027 or 2028. Johnson’s deal has an out after this season if the organization wants to exercise it.
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DT Chris McClellan, Missouri
A nose tackle option with pass-rush upside. McClellan is far from a perfect prospect and doesn’t have much experience playing nose, but he has three-down potential and shows the ability to line up over the center at the next level. He’s likely more of a Day 3 option and would be competing for a starting spot rather than being penciled in as a first-stringer if drafted, but the former Tiger would be a good get for Las Vegas in the fourth round.
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