Las Vegas Raiders Upcoming 2026 Draft Picks (10)
It’s great that the Raiders didn’t listen to Dan Orlovsky and his army of 15 NFL general managers he allegedly spoke to who agreed with him that Ty Simpson was a better prospect than Fernand Mendoza. This was complete nonsense, and the Raiders made the correct choice. One of Charlie Campbell’s sources compared Mendoza to Joe Flacco with mobility, so if that holds up, the Raiders will be very happy with this pick.
It’s only fitting that the Raiders get a Millen grade. What a dumb selection. How do they not realize that they needed to help Fernando Mendoza? It’s fairly obvious, given the huge needs at receiver and the offensive line. Instead, the Raiders selected a 24-year-old defensive back. Nice job!
I guess Fernando Mendoza will have to do everything himself. Keyron Crawford is a solid pick, unlike the second-round choice. Crawford has high upside and was productive in school. Edge rusher was a need with Maxx Crosby on his way out of Las Vegas soon.
I can’t hate too much on the Raiders drafting a lineman. However, the Raiders already have a center, and I don’t like him too much at guard. Zuhn is a terrific pass blocker and a great presence in the locker room. He has short arms, however, and he needs to impove his run blocking. I had him going much later.
This is a risk, but every draft pick is a risk. If Jermod McCoy didn’t have a knee problem, he would’ve been a top-10 pick. However, his knee issue is degenerative, so he may never have a good NFL career, but there’s a chance that he’ll get over it and have a great career.
There are two sides to this pick. On one hand, I like Mike Washington as a prospect and think he should've gone in the third round. On the other hand, the Raiders traded up for a running back, which is one of the two positions they both need.
Dalton Johnson is undersized and is an inconsistent tackler, but has great coverage skills. The Raiders need defense, and Johnson fits this range, so this is a fine pick.
Hezekiah Masses is a lengthy cornerback, but he is frail and commits lots of penalties. The Raiders should be concentrating more on offense instead of drafting seventh-round cornerbacks.
Malik Benson is a speedy threat whose hands improved over his collegiate career, but happens to be a limited route runner. He could end up being a good weapon for Fernando Mendoza. I like this pick, thanks to the great value; I had Benson in the fourth round.
Brandon Cleveland is a stout run defender, but has short arms and lacking athleticism. He was seen as a seventh-round prospect, so this makes sense for the Raiders, who had to continue to add blockers.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/23/2026 - View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
The Raiders are desperate for a quarterback, so they did whatever it took to obtain one. This included sitting their best player after he expressed a desire to beat his opponent. Geno Smith was terrible last year, which may have surprised ESPN's atrocious hires, one of whom said that Smith was a top-10 NFL quarterback when he was traded to Las Vegas. Smith was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, so the Raiders will be drafting a new franchise signal-caller. Fernando Mendoza has great size, arm strength, and accuracy. He was seen as raw entering the 2025 season, but he had a tremendous year. He will be the No. 1 pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft unless he gets abducted by aliens. *** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. None - Sorry, Dan Orlovsky, Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick unless the aliens come through for you and CAA. Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, if you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look. Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $7.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
Round: 2
The Raiders don't have a true No. 1 receiver, so they'll have to focus on acquiring one. Perhaps they'll be able to do so with this pick. Germie Bernard looks to be the next great Alabama receiver in the pros with his nice size and upside. Pick change; previously Chris Bell, WR
Round: 3
The Raiders have such issues at receiver that they could draft two players at the position in the first three rounds. Chris Bell is a big and tough receiver with good speed, but has durability and makeup concerns. Pick change; previously Germie Bernard, WR
Round: 4
Andy Iskoe, a professional handicapper who joins me on our Wednesday live stream, said that the Raiders had the worst offensive line he's ever seen. They obviously need to fix that issue. Logan Taylor is a strong lineman, but lacks any sort of quickness. Pick change; previously Austin Barber, OT
Round: 4
The Raiders don't have a viable backup behind Ashton Jeanty, so they could use a mid-round pick on a running back. Demond Claiborne is a smaller back, but is a gritty and shifty runner. Pick change; previously Bryce Lance, WR
Round: 4
Maxx Crosby won't be on the team much longer, so here's another edge rusher. Nadame Tucker, projected as a 3-4 edge, was a huge producer in college and has a high motor.
Round: 5
Everyone knows how bad the Raiders' offensive line is. Their defensive line needs work as well. Dontay Corleone is a massive nose tackle who was able to register 3.5 sacks a couple of seasons ago.
Round: 6
The Raiders must continue to add talent to their receiver group to protect Fernando Mendoza. Caleb Douglas is a very tall receiver with a long wing span, but has issues with drops and strength. Pick change; previously Jude Bowry, OT/G
Round: 6
The Raiders have been working out kickers, so they'll likely draft one late on Day 3.
Round: 7
The Raiders signed some linebackers this offseason, but they still need depth at the position. Jack Dingle is a good athlete, but can sometimes be caught out of position.
Past Grades and Selections
2025 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
C- I’m not crazy about this pick. Ashton Jeanty is obviously a great running back prospect, but I don’t think he’s on an elite level like Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey. I would only draft those sort of players in the top 10. If I were the Raiders, I would have drafted Armand Membou instead or tried to trade down. However, I can’t grade Las Vegas poorly for this because Jeanty will be a very good player. Still, with Chip Kelly on the staff, couldn’t the Raiders have drafted one of the Ohio State backs with their second pick?
B+ No Shedeur Sanders is interesting. The Raiders needed to find a receiver after losing Davante Adams during the 2024 season. Jack Bech had a great Senior Bowl and answered some questions about his separation issues during the pre-draft process.
B Cornerback has been an issue for a long time. Perhaps Darien Porter will solve that issue. Porter is a big cornerback who fits this range, but there are some speed concerns with him.
A+ I love this pick. The Raiders are addressing their offensive line once again, which is automatically a plus. Caleb Rogers is an extremely agile offensive lineman who possesses insane upside. He was one of my favorite sleepers this year.
A+ I don’t like this offensive line pick as much as the Caleb Rogers selection, but I’m still a fan. Charles Grant is a quick and athletic blocker who was very consistent in school. The level of competition is a concern, but that’s why Grant lasted until the third round.
C It makes sense for the Raiders to select a receiver, given that they need talent there in the wake of the Davante Adams trade. However, Dont’e Thornton is a bit of a reach at this spot. I thought he’d go in the sixth or seventh round despite his size and speed combination. Also, why pass up on Shedeur Sanders?
D The Raiders drafted an undersized defensive tackle over a potential franchise quarterback. Unreal. It’s going to be tough for Tonka Hemingway to stick in the NFL because he doesn’t have a natural position.
B- J.J. Pegues is a versatile defensive lineman, but he struggled at the combine. Still, I don't mind the Raiders drafting someone who can help them up front after all the injuries they suffered in that area last year.
B Tommy Mellott was getting some buzz late in the draft. He's an interesting prospect, as he's small but very mobile. Perhaps the Raiders can develop him.
C The Raiders sure love their Division I-AA quarterbacks. They'll be using Tommy Mellott at receiver, while Cam Miller will be the developmental quarterback. However, Miller isn't someone I believed should be drafted despite his great production at North Dakota State.
B Cody Lindenberg seems like a two-down player in the NFL. He needs to prove that he won't be a complete liability in coverage. He makes sense here in the seventh round.
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A So much for Michael Mayer. I don't really care that the Raiders drafted Mayer last year because A) Mayer sucked as a rookie, and B) this is a new front office. Brock Bowers makes the most sense as the best player available. I love this pick, as Bowers will be a great threat for whomever the Raiders find to play quarterback.
A+ What a steal by the Raiders. Jackson Powers-Johnson easily could have gone at the end of the first round, so they did a great job of getting him with this pick. The offensive line has been a weak spot for the Raiders for a long time, but Powers-Johnson will be able to help improve that dreadful situation.
D On one hand, I like that the Raiders are adding to their weak offensive line. On the other hand ... why Delmar Glaze? The Maryland product was considered a day-three prospect, so this is too early for him. Glaze is considered a backup swing tackle for the pros.
B Decamerion Richardson is a very raw prospect, but he possesses great upside and athleticism. I like taking a risk like this here to fill a major need at cornerback.
B+ Tommy Eichenberg is a two-down linebacker who will help the Raiders improve against the run. The Raiders already had the great pass rush, but they needed to improve versus the rush. Eichenberg, who could have gone a bit earlier than this, will bolster that area.
A This is a steal for the Raiders, as Dylan Laube could have been chosen late in the third round without any complaints. The Raiders needed to find another running back, and they're doing that with a great receiver out of the backfield.
B A safety and a special-teamer makes sense for the Raiders here in the seventh round. Taylor was projected around this area, so this pick earns a solid "B" grade.
A+ Marlon Devonshire could have been chosen as early as the fourth round, so here's a steal for the Raiders at a position of need. Devonshire projects as a slot cornerback in the NFL.
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B There was some concern with Tyree Wilson's health, but the Raiders are obviously OK with it. Defensive end was not a big need at the moment because the Raiders have Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones on the roster, but you can never have too many talented pass rushers. I think this is a solid pick, but the injury and age problems with Wilson may make the Raiders regret this selection in the future.
B+ I slotted Matthew Bergeron at the end of my final mock draft. He's a versatile player who can play tackle and guard, and he was terrific at the combine. The Falcons really needed offensive line help, as they went to the Super Bowl in 2016 because they had an elite blocking unit. The offensive line had been hurting ever since.
B The Raiders really needed a defensive tackle because Jerry Tillery is currently slated to start there. Byron Young is an undersized player, which is why he wasn't going higher than this, but he's a talented player who should have a role in the Raider defense. This is a solid, but not great pick.
C- Tre Tucker is an undersized slot receiver. I'm not sure where he fits into the Raiders' offense with Hunter Renfrow holding the position. This range isn't terrible for Tucker, but I don't like the fit for a pick this early.
B Dylan Horton had a great season last year as a dynamic pass rusher for TCU. The Texans needed someone to get after the quarterback, and Horton fits the range. This is a fine pick for a team that needed to revamp its defense.
C I don't think the Vikings needed to trade up for Jaquelin Roy. They at least had to find a replacement for Dalvin Tomlinson, and Roy has potential as an athletic player. However, he's a raw player who needs to get stronger.
B This is a player who could have gone where the Patriots selected some of their other reaches. Another blocker makes sense, and Atonio Mafi is a powerful blocker who can blast open big running lanes for Rhamondre Stevenson.
C Warren McClendon is a limited athlete, so he may have to move to guard. However, he's a versatile player and could fight for a starting spot in the interior of the Rams' dreadful offensive line.
A+ I want to find out why Jarrick Bernard-Converse fell so hard in the 2023 NFL Draft because I thought he easily could have gone in the third round. Bernard-Converse has good size, quickness and athleicism. The Jets didn't need a cornerback, but they're getting a talented prospect.
B+ Zack Kuntz was one of the most athletic tight ends at the combine. I thought he'd go a bit earlier as a result, but the Jets are getting a good value and a potential weapon for Aaron Rodgers.
B+ Nesta Jade Silvera is solid in run support, but needs to improve his pass-rushing ability. Having him around to help versus the rush will help in some matchups. He might be able to make the final roster.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A Grade
I love what the Raiders just did. They didn't pick until No. 86, but they moved down four spots and picked a player who easily could've gone in the second round. Not only that, but Dylan Parham fills a huge need. Parham can play guard and center, and the Raiders will need his versatility on their horrid blocking unit.
B+ Grade
Zamir White is the next of impressive backs to come out of Georgia, along with James Cook. He's a solid pick here in the fourth round, as the Raiders need to figure out what to do with Josh Jacobs, who has been very inconsistent for them.
B- Grade
Neil Farrell is a big nose tackle who can help the Patriots stop the run. The problem is that the rest of the AFC West is all about passing, so I'm not sure about this fit. Farrell makes sense in this range as a fourth-round prospect though.
B- Grade
I don't know why the Rams traded up for a running back, but at least there's some value with this pick. Kyren Williams struggled at the combine, but he figures to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.
B+ Grade
I mocked this exact pick to the Packers in the seventh round. This fit makes sense, as the Packers needed to address their secondary depth. Green Bay showed interest in Carpenter, so they got their man.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
This is such a perfect fit. Alex Leatherwood is the sort of tough offensive lineman Jon Gruden loves. The Raiders were desperate for an offensive lineman after losing not one, not two, but three blockers in free agency. It makes sense for Leatherwood to be the fourth offensive lineman off the board, so I like this pick for the Raiders.
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B- Grade
I've said this multiple times, but I'm always a fan of teams adding to the offensive line to protect a young quarterback. Trey Lance is raw, so he'll need all the protection he can get once he takes over for Jimmy Garoppolo. I had Banks slated as a third-round prospect, but I don't hate this value in the middle of the second frame.
F Grade
I defended the Alex Leatherwood pick, but I can't do the same thing for this one. I've had Malcolm Koonce slated late on Day 3. He seems like a nice situational pass rusher who will be exposed in run support if he has to play on those downs. He doesn't even fill a need, so I don't see why he's a third-round pick.
D Grade
I'm not a big fan of this pick either, but it's better than the other one. Divine Deablo is a talented player, but he's a linebacker-safety hybrid, so it's unclear where he'll fit in the Raiders' defense. Linebacker is a huge need, so why not select someone like Jabril Cox?
F Grade
The Jaguars traded up for a player they could have obtained with their natural pick. Seems par for the course when accounting for Urban Meyer's inexperience with the NFL Draft. I'm all for Jacksonville obtaining another edge rusher, but teams weren't dying to draft Jordan Smith. I didn't even have him drafted, though I considered him in the seventh round.
C- Grade
Andy Reid drafted a tight end. You don't say!? The Chiefs love running mult-tight end formations, so this pick makes sense. That said, I'm not sure why the Chiefs traded up for Noah Gray. Were there teams dying to pick Gray? I doubt it, so why did the Chiefs squander a resource for him?
B Grade
This is the 716th defensive back for the Jets on Day 3. Brandin Echols is an athletic player, and he's someone I thought would be chosen in the final couple of rounds.
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