Draft week is upon us and shortly, there will be a shortage of mock drafts as the Las Vegas Raiders embark in a key 2026 NFL Draft as the team gears up for its first season under rookie head coach Klint Kubiak.
There’s reasons to be both optimistic and pessimistic about the Silver & Black and both will be amplified over the course of the next three days as all 32 teams build their rosters by snagging prospects during the seven-round foray.
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This upcoming draft marks general manager John Spytek’s second jaunt as the Raider’ chief personnel man and how he and his talent evaluators work together with Kubiak and use the team’s 10 draft picks heading into the event should be intriguing.
This is my final mock before things get real and in this rendition, the Raiders load up defensive coordinator Rob Leonard’s side of the ball. The attention to the defense is warranted, of course. However, the top selection in the draft belongs to Kubiak and it’s one that’s been quite obvious — barring a surprise pivot.
Round 1No. 1 overall: Fernando MendozaQuarterback, Indiana
Las Vegas shouldn’t play any games here and nab a prospect who has the makings of a franchise quarterback with the top selection. While Spytek should listen to offers, they should be declined to give Kubiak a young understudy to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
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Don’t dilly dally and use up all the clock on what’s been obvious ever since the Silver & Black tanked their way to the No. 1 overall pick.
The succession plan is already on paper and if Kubiak as good as an offensive mind and quarterback developer as everyone thinks, Mendoza is the long-term starter at signal caller the Raiders have been lacking.
Round 2No. 36 overall: Kayden McDonaldDefensive Tackle, Ohio State
As prospects flew off the board after the No. 1 pick, I was eyeing the wide receiver or cornerback position with this pick and, lo and behold, this Buckeyes defender was there for the taking — and I didn’t hesitate. The Raiders’ transition to a 3-4 defensive front means Leonard needs a run-stuffing, space-eating, mammoth presence at nose tackle and this nearly 6-foot-3 and 326-pounder is an ideal prospect to man that spot in Las Vegas.
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As our Matt Holder pointed out, McDonald falling to this spot is possible mainly due to the defensive lineman being one-dimensional as a run stuffer that lacks pass rush juice. And if he is there at 36, the McDonald pick should be a no-brainer like Mendoza.
Round 3No. 67 overall: A.J. HaulcySafety, LSU
This is another selection where a wideout or cornerback was top of mind, however, when it came time to making the pick, the value at both positions couldn’t match what was sitting right there in front of me in Haulcy: A ballhawk safety who combines a nose for the ball with menacing hitting power that is a throwback.
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At a under 6-feet at 5-foot-11 and 5/8 and 215 pounds, Haulcy may be smaller than current Raiders safeties Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao (both 6-foot-3) but has uncanny ability to read the field and triggers quickly to either make a play on the ball or punish the pass catcher. Las Vegas needs an enforcer and takeaway artist at safety and this Tiger is a perfect blend of both.
Round 4No. 102 overall: Malachi FieldsWide Receiver, Notre Dame
Now here’s where I looked at best player available (BPA) and it was wide receiver dominated. The top two options were Fields and Georgia speedster Zachariah Branch. While the familial connection with Branch is strong and the speed element enticing, I passed up a prospect who profiles as a Tre Tucker-type for a “big X” receiver for Kubiak’s offense.
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Standing 6-foot-4 1/2 and 218 pounds, Fields brings elite physical traits to the table and has the size and strength to bully defensive backs. He has the frame and hands to win in the air with his leaping ability and can be a 50/50 pass monster who excels as a chain mover and red zone dominator.
No. 117 overall: Sam HechtCenter, Kansas State
While he’s not the paragon of brute strength, Hecht brings great athleticism and intelligence to the table that makes him an ideal fit for the blocking scheme Kubiak and his chosen offensive line coach Rick Dennison are installing in Las Vegas.
Hecht works well with fellow linemen on double teams and stunt pickups and has the footwork, agility, and core strength which is a perfect blend of the outside/wide zone scheme Kubiak is going to deploy for his offense. Depth at center is lacking and Hecht can transition to guard with elite pivot Tyler Linderbaum ahead of him on the depth chart.
No. 134 overall: Anthony Hill Jr.Linebacker, Texas
The Raiders can’t have enough three-down linebackers who can do it all and this Longhorn defender would do well to learn behind do-it-all-type Nakobe Dean. Like Dean, Hill is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who blends size (6-foot-2 and 238 pounds) and speed (4.51-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine) to be a quality blitzer, run stuffer, and cover man.
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Hill is another BPA pick — likely to go earlier than this slot — and has the versatility to learn and work as an outside linebacker or inside linebacker in Leonard’s upcoming defensive scheme in Las Vegas.
Round 5No. 175 overall: Tacario DavisCornerback, Washington
Bringing back Eric Stokes who exceled after a flier contract in free agency last season was a boon, but the Raiders still lack depth at cornerback — particularly the boundary. A shade under 6-foot-4 (6-foot-3 and 7/8), Davis is a long and tall cornerback who can play press man or zone.
Davis uses his height, long arms, and leaping ability to making throwing over him tremendously difficult and his long reach is an asset as a tackler, too. Davis has the developmental traits to grow into an outside corner in the desert.
Round 6No. 185 overall: Tyreak SappEdge, Florida
Listed as an edge rusher, this 6-foot-2 and 273-pound Gator comes to the Raiders as a 3-4 defensive end providing ample power and run-stuffing capabilities up front. It’ll be intriguing to see how defensive ends in what was the Raiders’ 4-3 front transitions to outside linebacker but Las Vegas can always use a defensive linemen who can anchor.
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While his pass rush leaves plenty to be desired, the ends on a 3-4 front are expected to stand fast, occupy blockers, and space, and fight off blocks to stymie the run. And Sapp can do that.
No. 208 overall: Adam RandallRunning Back, Clemson
After watching heralded prospects at this position group fly off the board, landing this 6-foot-3 and 238-pound wide receiver converted to running back is the late-round size/speed/freak type you nab. Well built and able to run routes and catch the rock out of the backfield, Randall can be a dangerous weapon in Kubiak’s offense.
While he’ll need to play to his size in pass protection, Randall’s speed and power are something Las Vegas needs behind workhorse running back Ashton Jeanty.
Round 7No. 219 overall: J.C. DavisOffensive Tackle, Illinois
A stalwart blindside protector at left tackle on the Fighting Illini offensive line, Davis has the movement skills to thrive in the zone blocking scheme and meanness to be a mauler, too. Davis produced against top-flight pass rushers and when he’s engaged, displays the nastiness to drive through blocks.
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He’ll need to shore up his timing, hand placement, as well as show he can move in outside/wide zone concepts, but with depth behind Kolton Miller questionable, Davis can be a good understudy.