Raiders NFL Draft Tracker: Every Pick, Trade, and Instant Grade
LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 total draft picks, including the top overall pick. Las Vegas aims to pair a strong start in free agency with a formidable draft class that they hope will feature multiple players who can contribute right away.
One of the Raiders' most significant problems over the past few seasons has been a lack of overall talent. Las Vegas' front office hopes a well-rounded draft haul will be the next piece of assembling a more competitive roster in 2026 and beyond. It will be a big night for the Raiders.
Bad drafts have caught up to Las Vegas in recent years, proving just how vital every draft is. One bad draft class can set a team with a bad roster back even more. That is where the Raiders stand. Even after their free-agent additions, the Raiders' roster still needs help, as other teams will improve, too.
Every single pick the Raiders use in the draft will be important. The more picks they can develop into contributors in one of the three phases of the game, the further ahead in their rebuild they will be. Las Vegas' front office must finalize its offseason plans to rebuild its roster effectively through the draft.
What the Experts Are Saying
After starting seven different quarterbacks over the past three seasons, including the league-leader in interceptions thrown last season with Geno Smith, just about every expert had the Raiders locked in on Mendoza as their top pick. The Raiders' needed for a quarterback and possession of the No. 1 pick made it easy.
Mendoza was widely expected to be drafted with the top pick and sit behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins for an amount of time that is yet to be determined. There usually is at least a little intrigue with the top overall pick, but there was little to no intrigue this time around. Mendoza is a Raider.
7-Round Mock Draft
Still, the Raiders have plenty of other needs aside from Mendoza. Specifically, the Raiders need additional help at cornerback and safety. They could use several additional depth pieces along their offensive line, even after the respective additions of Tyler Linderbaum and Spencer Burford.
Las Vegas has three picks in the fourth round. If they do not use any of those picks in a trade, they should consider using all three of those picks to add depth along their offensive line. The Raiders need an upgrade in talent behind their starting offensive linemen if they hope to be successful.
Draft Rumors: What's Real?
In last season's NFL Draft, the Raiders traded down twice. Las Vegas is in a prime position to trade up or down in this year's draft, especially with the No. 36 pick. The Raiders have many holes remaining on their roster. Trading up to add a top talent or trading back for more picks both make sense.
Raiders general manager John Spytek has made it clear that he and the front office are always listening to offers. He did not deny that it goes for the No. 1 pick as well. It seems as if a trade of some sort remains at least an option for the Raiders; whether it is up or down is unclear.
Official Raiders Draft Picks
The Raiders selected Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the second round, the Raiders traded with the Houston Texans, acquiring the 38th overall pick. With that selection, Las Vegas selected Arizona S Treydan Stukes. The Raiders are on the clock next at pick No. 67 in the third round.
Grading Raiders Pick of Fernando Mendoza
Everyone knew this would be the Raiders' selection with the first overall pick, and for good reason. A Heisman Trophy winner and a National Champion, Mendoza brings all the tools necessary for this new era in Las Vegas.
The Raiders still have a long ways to go in the 2026 Draft, but this is as good of a start as the franchise could have asked for. There's a new star in Las Vegas, and this pick obviously gets an "A."
Read our full grade breakdown here.
Raider Nation Reacts to Selection of Mendoza
As many would expect, Raider Nation everywhere is thrilled with the new QB in Las Vegas. Take a look at how social media reacted to Mendoza officially joining the Raiders here.
NFL Draft Day Two Raiders Big Board
Keep up with our live Day Two Big Board for Las Vegas with this link here.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Raiders NFL Draft Tracker: Every Pick, Trade, and Instant Grade.
Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:40 AM.