Raiders’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with pre-draft cycle ending

As the pre-draft cycle nears its conclusion, the Las Vegas Raiders are one of the easier teams to predict at the top, while their subsequent picks present a bit more uncertainty. Fernando Mendoza is widely regarded as the locked-in first overall pick, and recent reports have only strengthened that expectation.

The more intriguing aspect of this draft class begins at No. 36, where ESPN’s draft intel indicates that the Raiders may seek additional support around Mendoza, with potential targets including receivers like Denzel Boston and Elijah Sarratt.

Additionally, with the arrival of Kirk Cousins, the urgency regarding the quarterback position has diminished, allowing for greater flexibility in their other selections. Las Vegas holds a total of 10 picks, starting at 1, 36, and 67, meaning this draft involves multiple decisions, even if the first choice is set.

This makes the Raiders’ mock draft cycle particularly useful at this stage, because it’s no longer primarily about speculating on their first selection, but now it’s about determining what kind of roster John Spytek and Klint Kubiak aim to build around Mendoza once he joins the team.

Some analysts believe that the next pick should focus on offensive line protection, while others see significant value in strengthening the defensive line in the second round, and a few are already linking the offense to a receiver or a safety on Day 2.

Here are five projections that illustrate the current landscape for the Raiders as draft season culminates.

QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest multi-analyst mock draft positions Mendoza with the Raiders as nearly a certainty, and his write-up doesn’t frame it as a debate but rather presents it as the obvious choice for a team in need of a quarterback. This insight is noteworthy because Kiper is reflecting how the league perceives Las Vegas’ decision at No. 1 as essentially finalized.

Even though Mendoza’s selection is no longer suspenseful, he remains at the top of the list because he sets the framework for all subsequent picks.

Once the quarterback is assumed, every later projection can be viewed through one lens: what will best support him in Year 1 and Year 2?

This is why many mock drafts for the Raiders quickly shift their focus toward offensive guards, defensive tackles, or pass catchers rather than returning to the idea of selecting quarterback insurance, and with Cousins changing the dynamics of the room, the draft strategy can center around providing support instead of reacting out of panic. Kiper’s projection serves as the most logical starting point for this entire discussion.

OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints

Tim Crean’s Raiders roundup from PFF Simulator following free agency provides valuable insight as it moves beyond the obvious quarterback choice and addresses what the Raiders should do with their next premium pick.

His projection suggests Las Vegas select Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon at No. 36, viewing this selection as part of a strategic effort to rebuild the offensive line in front of the incoming quarterback, and Crean argues that while the offensive line has been worked on, it remains incomplete, and adding a true guard prospect with NFL size and strength would facilitate the implementation of the game plan surrounding Mendoza.

Among the second-round mock drafts involving the Raiders, Pregnon stands out as a practical fit.

The Raiders have already invested in their interior line, and acquiring another starter-quality lineman would guide the offensive structure toward a more stable foundation rather than a mere patchwork solution. While many fans may prefer the second pick, after selecting a quarterback to be a receiver, Crean’s projection advocates for a more strategic approach.

If they believe that offensive line protection offers better value at No. 36, prioritizing a guard first and trusting the remainder of the draft board later could be a sound strategy in a class with this many selections.

DT Caleb Banks, Florida

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

In his three-round CBS Sports mock draft, Josh Edwards projects that Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with their second-round pick, and this projection presents a different perspective than the one offered by Crean.

Edwards views the Raiders’ first move after Mendoza as an opportunity to enhance their front seven, using Banks to add disruption to the interior defense without solely relying on Maxx Crosby, and the placement of Banks at No. 36 is significant because it falls within a range where a defensive tackle, who showcases high-end skills but exhibits some inconsistency, can be an appealing choice.

Banks is a fitting projection for the Raiders, as their defensive line requires more than one solution, and while Crosby is the standout player, the decision by Baltimore to back away from that trade did not resolve all the structural issues along the front line.

A draft class centered around Mendoza does not have to focus exclusively on offense after the first pick, as Edwards envisions Las Vegas as a team that could leverage free agency to address offensive needs sufficiently, thus allowing them to consider selecting a defensive tackle early on Day 2, particularly if the front office believes that position offers better value compared to receiver or tackle at that point in the draft.

DT Christen Miller, Georgia

Field Yates, ESPN

Field Yates, in ESPN’s three-round mock draft, also predicts that the Raiders will target an interior defensive lineman, projecting Georgia’s Christen Miller at No. 36. Yates’ reasoning is more scheme-oriented than Edwards’ projection for Banks.

He notes that Las Vegas is transitioning toward a more 3-4 defensive scheme under Rob Leonard, and Miller’s profile aligns well with the team’s need for sturdy, disciplined interior defenders, and this distinction is crucial, as it indicates that the Raiders’ thinking regarding their second-round pick is not simply about selecting the best available defender, but rather about fitting the needs of their new defensive strategy.

Miller’s projection highlights a consensus among analysts regarding the Raiders’ needs, particularly at the interior defensive line position at No. 36, and whether it’s Banks in the CBS mock or Miller in the ESPN mock, multiple analysts are identifying the same area of pressure and reaching similar conclusions.

While the Raiders may still consider addressing the offense with this pick, the consistency of defensive tackle projections suggests that their strategy has become more focused compared to a month ago, and the decision following Mendoza increasingly appears to hinge on line play rather than being a free-for-all among various remaining needs.

WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

Eric Edholm, NFL.com

Eric Edholm’s “ideal top two picks” piece provides a clear projection specifically linking Mendoza with Alabama receiver Germie Bernard at No. 36.

Edholm’s rationale diverges from the heavier emphasis on the trenches found in other mocks, and he views Bernard as a quarterback-friendly target who can line up both inside and outside, contribute as a blocker, and serve as a safety valve while the offense adapts to the new quarterback. He also recognizes that attention is needed for both the offensive line and defense, making his projection more grounded.

Bernard is included in this discussion because he presents a strong counterargument to the line-heavy predictions, and if the Raiders believe that the fastest way to support Mendoza is by adding another reliable receiver rather than focusing on another blocker or interior defender, Bernard would be an excellent fit in the second round.

He is seen as the type of receiver who could effectively support a young quarterback, and this is subtle but aligns with ESPN’s draft intel on the Raiders, which hinted at the possibilities of selecting Denzel Boston or Elijah Sarratt after the first pick. Las Vegas may not be committed to a receiver at No. 36, but the position is undoubtedly a viable option.

Overall, this current draft cycle indicates that Las Vegas is viewed as a team with one clear decision made (Mendoza) and a crucial choice to make thereafter.

The focus now is on what the Raiders value most in supporting a rookie quarterback: protection or developing a more reliable passing game structure, and the names of the potential picks may vary, but the underlying logic has become more consistent.

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