Draft Night 2026 - The Mendoza Line
Sorry, about going dark lately, took a while to recover from that season, big night tonight, looking forward to your takes from round to round!
posted by Raider Take at 4:08 PM
Thursday, April 23, 2026
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With the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It's official. Mendoza!!
Hopefully,Jacob Rodriguez is next
Big relief hearing Mendoza's name called. Always concerned the Raiders will do something stupid. Now it's in the books. Raiders still need lots of help but probably nowhere more than WR and CB. That's my call for the next pick.
Denzel Boston looks like a reliable target for Mendoza. We've seen nothing from Bech or Thorton to suggest either can be a starter. Boston looks like a baller and would be monster choice compared to either of those 2nd year players.
NY,
I am going to reserve judgment on Bech and Thornton due to the inefficiency of Pete Carroll and company, as well as Darien Porter, JJ Pegues (a true NT), and others the previous regime wrote off.
With that said, here are my second round picks I'd love to see. Of course, Jacob Rodriguez (ILB, TX Tech) was who I mock drafted here, and would love to see us trade down to select him. In a 3-4 defense, he and Crosby would light it up. He truly reminds me of Greg Biekert. All-in-all, I'd love to see the Raiders trade down here and get more picks. Other picks I'd be happy with:
Kayden McDonald (NT, Ohio St)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
Players we can trade down for, or possible pick in the 3rd Round:
Chase Bisontis (IOL, Georgia)
Gennings Dunker (IOL, Iowa)
Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
Emmanuel Pregnon (OG, Oregon)
Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
Kage Casey (OT, Boise St)
Sarratt was someone I'd like to see the Raiders draft (for Mendoza) but waiting until the 3-4 round to draft a WR when the Raiders have no #1 or #2 doesn't make sense. If Boston is there at #36, look for him to become a Raider, IMO.
This is when the fun starts.
Yes, agree - nice to see no monkey business last night, just the straight up, as-expected pick that made the most sense. Phew.
There seems to bee this blanket assumption, even among non-Raiders fans, that Mendoza is an automatic superstar. I have no doubt that his floor is solid, and the ceiling is high. I'd be shocked if he's a bust. But...how great will he actually be. He has to get at least to Justin Herbert level for this to pan out, right? Fine if he's not Mahomes/Allen/Stafford level, but gotta be a consistent top 10 QB to really push this team into perennial contender status, versus say a Derek Carr high-functioning but non-elite type. It'll take some time for this to pan out, but at least we finally have a shot at QB now.
Take,
The best comparison I have seen is to Drew Bledsoe. Fernando is rhe same height and weight, and has similar arm strength. He is a film watcher, and leader. I think he will be fine
First, I guess the post above when I was typing my name I was already thinking of addressing Take. The above post is Raider Nate 75, sorry.
Second, what a weird day 2 of drafting for the Raiders. Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona) was the pick after trading down with the Texans, who selected Kayden McDonald (NT, Ohio St), someone we could have picked; and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo) still on the board, who I had ranked higher. I seriously had Stukes more of a middle third round pick. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad pick, but its not a flashy 2nd Round pick either.
3rd Round, we had two picks from the trade with Texans. First, we went with Keyron Crawford (EDGE, Auburn). Again, not a flashy pick here. I thought Romello Height (EDGE, TX Tech) was a higher pick here, as well as Dominique Orange (NT, Iowa St) would have been the better pick. With the second pick in the 3rd, we hit it out of the park with Trey Zuhn (IOL, TX A&M). He has played C, G, and OT He was one of my mock draft picks, but apparently his stock rose higher.
For tomorrow in the 4th Round, the pick I am looking at now is Zxavian Harris (NT, Mississippi), Darrell Jackson Jr (NT, Florida), or we can nab Tim Keenan III (NT, Bama) in the 5th or 6th. If we don't go NT, Elijah Sarratt is still available at WR, or Jude Bowry (OT, Boston College).
Finally, the Steelers selected Drew Allar (QB, Penn St) who I think is the underrated QB in the draft. He was overlooked due to injury, but he's going to be a great QB. Steelers are hoping to get Rodgers back, and if they do, that will allow Allar to not only heal, but have a year to get ready. This pick was WAY better than the Ty Simpson pick the Rams did yesterday in the first round; and boy did McVay look unhappy about that pick.
Also, the Bills selecting Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio St) late in the 2nd was a steal; I had him at late 1st, early 2nd Round talent.
It's been an interesting draft, the big boards for teams always baffle me. Be interesting tomorrow as well.
I agree, Take, Mendonza is not a sure thing. For me, he represents opportunity that the Raiders previously did not have. Like two years ago when six QBs were off the board before the Raiders pick. But Mendoza is not just a #1 pick either. This kid ran the table in college football, perfect record, Heisman Trophy, National Championship. He's a winner!
But he will need help. O-line, coaching and something Derek Carr didn't have, a defense.
I was disappointed the Raiders didn't draft a WR, but I also don't understand dropping back and letting the Texans draft DT McDonald. Did the Raiders just have another Jalen Carter moment, passing up consensus top talent? And what happened to building in the trenches? They channeled Al and took the fast 40 guy.
The other two picks seemed meh, like project players with less experience and will need significant coaching to make a dent.
But perhaps the most perplexing pick in the draft (for me) wasn't the Raiders. It was the Rams. Contenders for the SB, they used their high first round pick on a future QB - Ty Simpson. They could have taken several players ready to make significant contribution this year... maybe get them over the hump.
Headline: "Texans DT Kayden McDonald: I’m gonna show I’m the best player in this class"
McDonald was available to the Raiders and they took Stukes instead. That could be a backstory this year, much like the Tyree Wilson pick over Jalen Cater a few years ago. We all know how that went.
I really hoped the Raiders would make a splash in the draft. WR is such a huge void, yet they still haven't drafted one... that I'm aware.
Speaking of the aforementioned Tyree Wilson, whom the Raiders drafted with their top pick a few years ago... instead of drafting Jalen Carter (who is a monster). Raiders are trading Wilson and a 7th round pick for a 5th round pick.
Ouch! That's accelerated depreciation.
One thing it may signify, the Raiders may actually plan on keeping Maxx Crosby around for a while. But I guess that could change at any time.
QB
2 safeties
2 CBs
Edge
Guard
RB
But no WR by the 6th round. That's almost laughable. That's the position they probably needed most. I thought it was supposed to be a deep draft for WRs.
NYR, I guess Spytek is not giving up on his 2 draft picks from last year, Bech, & Thorton. But, yes, the Raiders need to cover better in the secondary, so some of these picks do make sense.
By the way, if there's a Qb that Mendoza reminds me of, it's Matt Ryan.
Just watched on YTWhy Fernando Mendoza feels Different, bloody good watch! I liked the concentration of the draft on the back end of our defence, feels like the ship has a captain again!
*Aussie Raider
I guess the Raiders graded high for their draft, probably because of Mendonza, and getting McCoy in the 4th (1st rd talent w/out injury). They also grabbed some intriguing prospects. Rome wasn't built in a day, but going into 2026 with Tucker and Nailor as WR1 and WR2 seems unrealistic. Hopefully, somebody will step up at WR. Ravens drafted Indiana WR Sarratt in the 4th, which seemed doable for the Raiders.
On paper, it looks good. It appears the Raiders may have their RB rotation. They added much needed help to defensive backfield, depth to the O-line and made Tyree Wilson expendable by picking Crawford.
There's also a long list of undrafted free agents tied to the Raiders, including multiple WRs, DTs, DBs, etc.
On a side note, one thing bothering me about the incoming regime. Apparently, Kubiak likes ZBS. Zone blocking has failed the Raiders so many times. Perhaps it's never been coached properly... but it's worth watching. I think that's why they liked Zuhn so much in the draft, because of his athleticism. ZBS might make Powers Johnson expendable. He was benched because of it last year, although he showed some chops later in the season before he was injured.
#Raiders reported UDFA Signings & Invites (from Tristen Kuhn):
QB Jacob Clark, Missouri State
QB Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
RB Roman Hemby, Indiana
WR EJ Williams, Indiana
WR Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
WR Chase Roberts, BYU
TE Matt Lauter, Boise State
T Isaiah Jatta, BYU
T Justin Pickett, Duke
NT Gary Smith, UCLA
EDGE Cian Slone, NC State
CB Caleb Offord, Kennesaw State
ILB Xavien Sorey, Arkansas
ILB Chris Thomas, Maine
SAF Tanner Wall, BYU
SAF Devin Lafayette, Troy
K Kansei "Tokyo Toe" Matsuzawa, Hawaii
LS Tyler Duzansky, Penn State
*CB Brent Austin reported to LV, but also reported to Denver, seems DEN is the correct report*
INVITES:
LB Jadon Pearson, Fresno State
OL Quincy Hughes, Wofford
OL Niklas Hennings, Queens (Canada)
OL Fintan Brose, Delaware
OL Giovanni iovino, Hawaii
P Joseph Johnson, USC
WR Daejon Reynolds, UNLV
WR/TE Michael Shulikov, Idaho State
K Nate Reed, Delaware
Looks like Daniel Carlson is done with Raiders
It's a long list and includes two undrafted players from Indiana.
I think Stukes can be the leader of the secondary the FS playing sideline to sideline, making up for others mistakes etc. The Raiders have lacked this for many years--sence Woodson perhaps. What a bust Wilson was to think we could have had Jalen Carter, McDaniels was the worst. Crawford can fly around the edge and has only played footbal for 4 years. Mendoza's floor is a top 15 QB for the next ten years his upside top lower top 10 that is fine if they build the proper suport system. That being said, I guess they will address WR and O Line next year. Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Why do you not think these haven’t been looked at? We signed a pro bowl caliber center Drafted another Guard invited in a handful of linemen. The word is they are happy with the progress that Grant has made, it’s still early camp hasn’t even begun, And you may be right and it may be that those may need to be addressed next draft, but right now it feels like we have a clear vision by our team, we may not win a bunch of games but if we show tangible improvement I will be happy.
Aussie Raider
Hi Aussie, I have cousins in Sydney and Melbourne I live in Florida. Drafting a guy in the fourth round who is a guard and going with some combo of Glaze and Grant at right tackle seems scary to me I hope I'm wrong. Don't get me wrong I agree with you that the team seems to be headed in the right direction I think it's going to take another year of acquiring Talent till they're competitive. Sandy
Out of the UFDA list, here are some players I think will probably make the team and surprise people.
Corey Rucker (WR, Arkansas St) - 75 Catches, 1,032 yards, 4 TD's last season. He is 6 foot even, 213 lbs, and has good speed. Struggles with separation, but that is coachable.
Isaiah Jatta (OT, BYU) - 6'6", 315 lbs. Was a 3 star recruit out of High School. Scouting report says: keeps QB clean, quick on the power rush, establishes himself on bull rush, has played everywhere on O-line. Weakeness: tends to get grabby, flagged 11 times last season for holding. Bites outside on fakes, leaving inside open. Only one full year as a Starter this last season in BYU as a Sr.
Gary Smith III (NT, UCLA) His collegiate career (at Duke and UCLA) he has 112 takcles (49 solo), 9.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 2 FR. These are pretty good Power numbers for a NT. He is 6'2, 340 lbs. Gritty NT, that with hard work can make an impact in the League.
Caleb Offord (CB, Kennesaw St) at 6'2, 198 lbs, he played all 4 years at Kennesaw with 116 tackles (80 solo), 27 PDs, 2 FFs, 3 INTs. He is slow as a CB (4.5-40 yard dash), but can be a vicious FS.
Jadon Pearson (LB, Fresno St) 6'1, 220 lbs, 2025 stats: 105 Tackles (51 Solo), 3 PDs, 7.5 TFL, 0.5 Sacks, 1 FF and FR.
I was thinking the RB out of Indiana will stick. He was RB2 last year and still had over 1,000 yards. Actually, my bold (and weird) prediction for this year is that Jeanty is the only RB who survives from last year. I imagine Heyward remains as FB, but Washington (RB2) and Hemby (RB3) will fill the Raiders depth chart. Raiders may have upgraded at RB in an unsuspecting way.
My concern remains at WR. I'm still scratching my head why Jakobi Meyers was booted out. Meyers managed to catch over 100 passes in 2024 and not drop a single one, but he became expendable. Nailor's best year is half Meyers. Same with Tucker...
MD needs to keep Raiders! Davis family are iconic! Don't turn on him! It's bad enough we want these so called called upgrade staff and winner staff doing things new and different from Al Davis but the new staff act like they want to get rid of family attitude and just be money and act like a corporation. Those regime may win but MD should keep team...idt...he was doing much to help or hurt the foot all side of team. Maybr these coa he's can fix his ,intakes if he e er made any moves.
The problem Anon is MD is 70 with no kids so the Davis family ownership ends with him, if you want to have a family legacy you have to have kids and the must have kids or you can’t have true succession unless he decides to adopt Tom Brad..JK….And realistically if he doesn’t have a nose for NFL talent or how the organisation should be run he should step aside soon and just be a fan like the rest of us and not make any silly late in life mistakes with the team, we have already lived through that once already.
Aussie Raider
All of this about Mark selling is not so. He has to give the NFL his desires for succession in case he passes because he has no children or successor in place, which he did. It's kind of like a will. It looks like it will be sold to this group that are partners with him, much like the Dodgers.
TBH, I wish more teams set themselves up like the Green Bay Packers, where fans can buy shares into the team that gives them voting rights and first dibs at season tickets, the team has an Executive Board who along with shareholders set the annual budget, and scouting department and coaches pick the players
To date, the Green Bay Packers have 538,967 stockholders.
Imagine if the Raiders did this.....
Here's some coach's criticism of Mendoza:
""He's a good decision-maker, but I don't think he's got the NFL traits," the coach said about Mendoza. "They're all back-shoulder [throws]. That's not working in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off.""
That's a joke. Derek Carr made a living with back shoulder throws to his receivers. Mendoza perfected his ability to do that in college. But it's absolutely false to say ALL his throws go that way. Mendoza can make all the throws. He will be better than Carr, and that's not much of a prediction based on his intelligence, arm strength and accuracy.
With Kubiak's and Brady's help, Mendoza will find plenty of ways to outsmart defenders.
If the "coach" that said that quote about Mendoza wouldn't put his name to it, then it's meaningless to me. Probably was some former Raiders loser.
Corporate Insider,
Good not Hall of Fame draft. Good at QB and got good RB in draft. But they didn't go after top free agents and build the defense in draft, They aren't trying to win now. They seem to want to be smart snd be judges of great young player and win with a roster if them but some star free scents may mafe team a winner now! And fans will buy their story from loyalty, not trust! They need to be handed takers snd go after star free agents to win and stop the s zr c oirTe way
CI,
This is your take or something someone else said? Because this is isn’t true besides the not trying to win it all today thought.
The Las Vegas Raiders aggressively led the 2026 NFL free-agency kickoff, spending approximately $281.5 million to $283 million in total contract values during the first wave of signings. Key investments included a record-setting three-year, $81 million deal for center Tyler Linderbaum and a three-year, $35 million contract for WR Jalen Nailor Other Additions: The team also reached deals with linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, and defensive end Kwity Paye to boost their defense. AND they kept Maxx!!! Also the focus of the draft was definitely defensive biased.
Aussie Raider
This has been the most eventful off-season in memory. Doesn't mean they nailed it, but Raiders get a big fat "A" for effort. If they still manage to sign a vet WR, that would probably be icing on the cake. Lots to be excited about moving forward...
Thanks Other Anonymous, I like Ci!
The fact is...they did good but went dull and slick, conservative team building moves mostly. While KC gets elite DBs we won't, Chargerx get elite OL we won't .It was a sugar coated program and instead if questioning office we will go for it. A 3-4 D but no free agent NG? 2, maybe 3 elite QBs in division but Raiders didn't sign a tip free agent CB? No top LBs signed as free agents? We are being played to go for the BFL get good but not expensive players and try to win. We need stars
CI,
This is Aussie Raider,
We drafted two CB’s one of which has some hi potential, we also drafted 2 safeties 1 that can play anywhere in the defensive backfield. We signed a 26 year old 3x pro bowl (23-25) stud of a center in Linderbaum. Signed 2 of the top free agent LB’s available and young to boot. The NT market was lean and not over spending there is wise
Laki Tasi fits the mould of NT besides being a bit tall 6’6” he has the mass at 373lb with 34.5” arms I am keenly watching him especially since he his a local lad. We also have some potential with Tonka and Jonah…we shall see.
Now don’t get me twisted and think I am saying we have nailed everything from draft to free agency… but what I am saying is there is a “Mintiness” in the air that we haven’t had in a long while, and I am ready to watch how this thing unfolds into this season.
Aussie Raider🏴☠️
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tough to call out mistakes before we know the facts. It's all relative. The Chiefs drafted a top CB because they lost their two starting CBs. They will actually start the 2026 season at a deficit in their defensive backfield. The Raiders used their top pick on a QB. It would be great if the Raiders could draft the top 10 players, but it doesn't work that way. And signing "star" players is usually a luxury for a good team. Yet the Raiders actually signed some star players in free agency.
With their massive haul in free agency and solid draft, I'd say the Raiders are way ahead of schedule. Sure, I would have taken a WR in round 2 but the Raiders know way more than I do.
Personally, I'm not pointing fingers at the Raiders effort so far this year. It's been impressive to watch.
Corporate Insider(aka Ci),
To Aussie, Hey! I've just come back after about 5 months, I first co melted once then! No negative criticism, they did some good things, but for years this team has been conservative, corporate smart guys and rejected a try to find those x factors, ganble and try to win now attitude that some teams used to win.They will draft DBs but not have a top veteran to win now, LBs free agents are good but they didn't get star ILBs. We are good on outside but not against run. If no star free agent NGs they needed to trade or sign a veteran.
What is it about the Raiders hiring a rookie head coach and drafting a rookie QB suggests they intend to "win now" as you suggest? If they "win now" they will exceed all expectations.
The Raiders committed to over $281 million in new contracts this off-season, second only to the Titans. Raiders signed some of the top free agents on the market and you're complaining they weren't "stars." Based on whose interpretation?
They even got Maxx Crosby back.
Corporate Insider,
To NY Raider..is that your aka?... did I get it right? Hey, nice meeting you! If I didn't know better I'd think this team is just rebuilding after a decent years of highs and lows. It's been in the basement/ for years. And when it comes to solving it, they get the same attitude and plan and thats- conservative, rookie coaches doing the corporate plan- get young players lower rounds if possible hope they are ballers, get free agents but not expensive top stars make them work into winners! Same plan, then PR then angry fans. Rookie staff, execs won't sign elite guys saving money and wanting an NFL attitude against st spending to win. And that's why we aren't better
Al Anon, that's a tough take to square. It's clearly not the same plan. They just fired Pete Carroll. And telling us they're trying to "save money" after they just committed to $281 million in new contracts is false on its face. They just spent record money. I posted that above. Google it before you shoot it down? Saying they were conservative is provably false.
Corporate Insider,
To Al Anon or NYR? Is that another aka? Hey, not hating the plan just seeing problems. IDK...I just think too many $B dumping money in us so much they are giving these people control if team and the attitude is money 1st and the fame 3rd! These people want their investment to profit and that's OK but the Raiders are just making safe, good moves but cost saving moves but not gambling and swinging for fences moves to win.
Corporate Insider,
A $B team that isn't spending more. What are they wauting, saving money for? They haven't proven they can build off good free agents, young vets and rookies. Only a few/ short list of staffs have. If Mark thought ignoring elite stars, Building off young talent and cost saving plans is his thing he needed to find guys like Don Shula, Bellichick or Dan Reeves. Those guys could do great with good, not elite guys
Mate aka CI, aka Al Anon, aka Jones… it’s Same ol same ol with you.
Raiders not spending enough…
Raiders not getting top FA…
Raiders need old coaches…
You need to cut back on the self medication and look out the window some time.
Aussie Raider
Rinse, lather and repeat. It doesn't matter when the discussion takes place, 2015, 2025 or now, Al Anon has the same talking points with no substance. He can't tell us what a so-called "star player" is, and he can't name one who was available to the Raiders during this free agency period. He has no concept of salary cap nor competition among 31 other teams for the same players. It's a zero-sum game that he expects the Raiders to win.
Seems like the Raiders have tried so many free agent QBs while they've watched one top college QB prospect after another go to other teams ahead of them over multiple drafts. Now the one time the Raiders truly have an opportunity to draft the best QB in the country, that's not good enough. Al Anon has zero patience to allow that QB and team to mature into a competitive unit, with the understanding that next year will bring further opportunities to fill holes in free agency and the draft.
Al Anon, it's you who wishes for the "same path." The win-now mentality that cost the Raiders two+ decades of misery.
Who is Al Anon? Corporate Insider(aka Ci)- came here to let fans know this is a business now, they're being played by executives who some aren't even football guys('business side' people) and we are shaken down for cash and get a 3rd rate football product...and think we got it made! Why are we supporting a system that makes B$ but dome teams won't spend to win...in some cases telling coaches to save money, ignore elite free agents try to build a winner..with good veterans and young players. Corps, B$ and Raider execs are telling coaches this and we aren't getting elite talent.
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