The Raiders put in work during free agency, adding talent to revamp their linebacker core and add more impact players to the receiver room, defensive line, and also helped to retain cornerback Eric Stokes. The Raiders will continue to address their roster with veterans this off-season in adding depth to the roster but the biggest move forward will be the 2026 NFL Draft where Las Vegas can add a multitude of talent to the roster. The Raiders had a decent 2025 draft class where rookies Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, Darien Porter, Tonka Hemingway, and Caleb Rogers made an impact along with developmental projects in Charles Grant, JJ Pegues, and Dont’e Thornton showing some strides.
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Advertisement
I don’t think I really need to explain this one, but Mendoza is the clear cut pick for the Raiders 1st overall. A year removed from his Heisman campaign where he logged a 71% completion rate, 3536 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, Mendoza will come to Las Vegas as the teams likely next franchise QB.
*TRADE: Raiders receive pick 41, 72, and 221 from the Bengals, for picks 36 & 117*
In a similar trade to what GM John Spytek did last season, the Raiders trade down from their second rounder to add additional selections in the second and third rounds, which for a rebuilding team is crucial to continually add quality talent
Round 2, Pick 41 (via CIN): DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
Advertisement
Halton is slightly undersized at 6’2, 295 but he’s extremely athletic, quick, and plays with a violent first step. Halton has risen quickly, and Las Vegas is going to look to add more on their interior. While not big enough to be a nose tackle, Halton shows elite traits as a pass rusher and is also a good run defender with his natural leverage, first step quickness, and lower body strength. He’s posted a 4.83 40, 1.7 10-split, 38 1/2 vert, and 9-06 broad while also having an 11% pass rush win rate in 2025 and 12% run stop win rate. Halton had 33 tackles, 7 TFL, and 3.5 sacks with 2 FF in 2025 along with 30 pressures, 19 stops, and 4 fumble recoveries. Halton has experience playing inside on a 3-4, but the flexibility to work outside also. Las Vegas has Thomas Booker, Tyree Wilson, Jonah Laulu, and Tonka Hemingway but Halton would provide an athletic burst that can work against the run and pass for their defense while also having the ability to line up at nose tackle (170 snaps), 2 tech, 3 tech, and 100 snaps at five tech.
Round 3, Pick 67: OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Dunker has a 6’5, 320 pound frame and his pre draft process has done a ton for his draft stock. Dunker posted a 1.84 10-split, 32 1/2 vert, and 9-0 broad along with 33 1/2 arms. The 22 year old has a natural fit at right tackle with 2000+ snaps on the right side, and he’s played well over the last two seasons with just 4 sacks and 23 pressures allowed. Dunker does need some time to develop his technique, refine footwork, and become a consistent blocker, though he’s shown an elite run blocking set that will work and translate to a zone system for the Raiders. He’ll turn 23 in May, but Dunker is a player Las Vegas can build around on their offensive line.
Advertisement
Round 3, Pick 72 (via CIN): SAF Genesis Smith, Arizona
The Raiders one key aspect that wasn’t addressed in the off-season, so far at least, has been safety where Las Vegas desperately needs to add a playmaker in their secondary. Smith, 6’2, 204-pounds has been a true ball hawk safety for Arizona with five interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and another four forced fumbles in his 37 games through the last three seasons. Smith is a fluid mover, has good size for the position, and overall does well working both back and forwards. The 22 year old has allowed just 43 receptions for 613 yards, and three touchdowns along with a 77.5 QBR over the last two seasons while playing a traditional two high safety and working at centerfield safety as well. Smith will need to clean up his tackling, with a 20% missed mark over his career, but he’s young and shows the instincts, coverage traits, and athleticism to be a productive free safety at the NFL level.
Round 4, Pick 102: WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
Advertisement
The brother of Chargers QB, and former top five selection, Trey Lance, Bryce has been sensational during the pre draft process and in his final season with the Bison. The 6’3, 205 pound receiver ran a 4.34 40 with a 1.53 10-split, and also posted a 41 1/2 vertical and 11-01 broad. There’s no denying the athletic abilities of Lance, and the 22 year old has been massively successful over his last two seasons with 2155 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 127 receptions on 170 targets with just 5 drops. Lance is a fluid route runner, shows strong hands and contested catch ability (62% in career), while also having the ability to be a true YAC threat. The Raiders drafted Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton in 2025, with Bech having a chance to impact the Raiders in 2026 and Thornton has struggled through his time with coming to NFL speed. Lance would add another boundary receiver with Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker, helping Las Vegas have a true X receiver and back shoulder threat for Mendoza.
Round 4, Pick 134: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
Demmings has been one of my favorite prospects this cycle, he’s an extremely physical 6’1/195-pound cornerback and displays good athletic traits as well with a 4.41 40, 1.53 10-split, 42 vert, and 11 broad. Demmings does have concerns with his skill competition, and he needs to improve at getting handsy in coverage where he’s drawn penalties when beaten. Additionally, Demmings does also need to add more muscle to his frame, which it can support. The 22 year old is extremely physical, works well in man and zone coverage, and has a natural knack for the ball with nine interceptions & 31 breakups over the last four years. He’s coming off a 2025 season with allowing just 18 receptions, 246 yards, and a touchdown along with a 39.8 QBR. The Raiders need to add more depth at cornerback, and Las Vegas has consistently drafted corners over the last three seasons, a trend that shouldn’t change in 2026 either.
Advertisement
Round 5, Pick 175: SAF Bishop Fitzgerald, USC
Similar to Ramsey, Las Vegas needs to add more to their secondary, and adding another traditional safety who’s shown the ability to be successful with plays on the ball is a good start as well. Fitzgerald, 5’11, 200-pounds has been athletic with a 4.5 40, 1.56 10-split, and shows the ability to be versatile in the secondary with 500 snaps at strong safety, 970 at free, and 350 in the slot. Fitzgerald is coming off a 2025 season where he logged 51 tackles, five interceptions, a touchdown, and four breakups. Over his career, he has 10 interceptions, and has allowed just 49 receptions, 507 yards, and an 81.9 QBR in his career. Fitzgerald has question surrounding his consistency, tackling, and how well he’ll adapt with average athleticism but the Raiders need to continue taking swings at safety and adding a productive high instinct defender will be a smart swing.
Round 6, Pick 185: OC Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
Advertisement
Gulbin, has history working at both left and right guard along with center across his career both at Wake Forest & Michigan State. The 6’4, 315 pound lineman does well in zone blocking systems, but he does have his limitations also. An older prospect at nearly 24 years old, he needs to improve his strength at the POA, and does need to also refine his technique, while needing to remain consistent. He allowed just two sacks and five pressures in 2025, while allowing five sacks and 43 pressures in his career. Gulbin has consistently gotten better through his career, and his versatility would pair well for the Raiders having depth at guard and center. Sixth round selections are mainly for depth and upside selections, which Gulbin fits into both.
Round 6, Pick 208: ILB Red Murdock, Buffalo
Buffalo has produced a wide range of talent, and while Las Vegas did sign Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean they need to continue adding to the linebacker unit with more depth signings and rookies. Murdock holds the FBS record for forced fumbles with 17 in his career including 13 in the last two seasons. Additionally, Murdock is coming off back to back seasons with 150+ tackles and 13+ tackles for loss with a career 364 tackles, 40 TFL, 9 sacks, an interception, and three breakups in addition to his forced fumbles. The 6’1, 240 pound linebacker does struggle in coverage, is an average athlete, and has some slightly stiff hips as well which can limit him. Murdock fits a 3-4 system well, similar to that of Buffalo’s defense and what Las Vegas will run in 2026. Murdock has a limited ceiling, likely limited as a rotational run defending first linebacker who can fill in when needed as a spot starter.
Round 7, Pick 219: RB Robert Henry, UTSA
Advertisement
Henry has a compact frame at 5’9, 205 and with the Raiders wanting to pair Ashton Jeanty with a running mate, Henry does showcase the ability to be a quality second runner in the NFL. He’s coming off a 2025 season with 152 attempts, 1051 yards, and nine touchdowns while forcing 33 missed tackles and having 17 rushes of 15+ yards. Henry has an explosive lower half, quick first step, and shows good vision at times. He runs with a strong burst and has explosive run ability consistently able to create long runs, while also rushing with strong power. Henry has just 405 rushing attempts in his career with 2339 yards and 27 touchdowns, and he’d pair well with Jeanty as a second rusher.
Round 7, Pick 221 (via CIN): WR Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State
The Raiders added Jalen Nailor in free agency, and while in the mock I also have them taking Bryce Lance, adding additional depth at receiver is a good choice for a team building around a rookie quarterback in Mendoza. Sobkowicz is not a well known prospect, but at 6’3, 205 pounds and with a 4.52 40 he’s also shown elite traits as a route runner with an ability to break out of his cut, explode downfield, and also provides a ton of YAC production. He’s average in contested catch situations, and he does need to get better with controlling some drop issues, though he provides a true boundary receiver that Las Vegas can pair with others. Sobkowicz is coming off a 2025 season with 82 receptions, 1125 yards, and 19 touchdowns along with a career 3500 yards and 41 touchdowns with special teams upside as well in terms of a gunner role.