The Las Vegas Raiders made waves on Sunday evening by hiring Chip Kelly away from Ohio State to be the team’s next offensive coordinator. 

Kelly spent just one season in Columbus, but the coach helped the Buckeyes win their first national title in a decade. Now, the veteran coach will return to the NFL and join the inaugural staff of head coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas. 

With Kelly now in Vegas, the team’s draft strategy could be impacted. Ohio State has a long list of draft prospects and Kelly knows as much about them as anybody does, so it’s very possible one or more end up in Las Vegas.

Let’s identify four Ohio State prospects that make the most sense for the Raiders to target at any point in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ohio State prospects to watch for Raiders

WR Emeka Egbuka 

The Raiders have many needs to address this offseason, but adding talent on offense should be a priority. 

Brock Bowers exploded on the scene as a rookie and is one of the game’s premier young tight ends. Jakobi Meyers is a reliable veteran receiver, but there’s not much else to get excited about. Emeka Egbuka is a reliable pass-catcher who’s already a smooth route-runner and is capable of racking up yards after the catch. 

Egbuka was mostly utilized in the slot at Ohio State and set a career-high in catches in 2024 under Kelly. Right now, the sixth pick may seem early to draft Egbuka. However, a solid combine and pre-draft process could vault the former Buckeye up draft boards.

RB Quinshon Judkins 

In 2024, the Raiders boasted one of the league’s worst rushing attacks. Alexander Mattison led the team with just 420 yards, and he and Ameer Abdullah are headed for free agency. 

Enter Quinshon Judkins.

Judkins starred during his lone season at Ohio State, even as he had to share snaps with fellow 2025 NFL Draft prospect TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins rushed for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns while also catching 22 passes for 161 yards. 

Judkins runs with power and frequently makes defenders miss. The running back is capable as a pass-catcher, which is an important trait for running backs in a Chip Kelly offense. Judkins would immediately raise the floor of the team’s running back room. 

QB Will Howard

The Raiders would love to land one of the top-two quarterbacks at No. 6 overall in the first round, but with three quarterback-needy teams in front of them, that’s going to be difficult.

But that doesn’t preclude the Raiders from taking a quarterback later in the draft, something they could do with Ohio State signal-caller, Will Howard, who was under center for the Buckeyes’ national title run.

Howard isn’t the sexiest quarterback around, but he does have the tools to be a good starting quarterback at the next level, with the neceessary arm strength, accuracy and athleticism.

Currently projected to go on Day 2, Howard could be an option for the Raiders if they strike out in the first round.

DT Tyleik Williams 

While Kelly coached offense at Ohio State, it’s safe to assume the coach is familiar with the team’s defenders, as well. Tyleik Williams was a force on the interior for the Buckeyes in 2024, racking up 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. 

The Raiders could use an interior presence alongside Christian Wilkins. Both John Jenkins and Adam Butler are headed for free agency, and there’s nobody on the roster currently with a ceiling like Williams. 

Williams moves quickly for his size and has shown some solid pass-rushing moves in addition to his stellar run-stuffing ability. The Raiders need to get better in the trenches and Williams would help accomplish that goal.

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