Raiders draft picks 2026: Full list of team's round-by-round selections

Jackpot.

The Las Vegas Raiders are the big winner of the 2026 NFL Draft. A quarterback-needy team, the silver-and-black landed the top spot in the order thanks to their on-field ineptitude. Their prize?

Fernando Mendoza, also known as the only quarterback at the top of the draft: the Raiders put to bed any doubt immediately, selecting the Indiana passer with the No. 1 pick on Thursday night.

Unlike most seasons, there were no debates around the position. The Raiders turned in the card quickly and shifted focus to rebuilding the rest of the roster. The Maxx Crosby trade that wasn't remains the top storyline, but so does the new coaching staff and regime that are tasked with turning the organization around.

If the autumn wind is a Raider, the franchise will hope that it's blowing at their back for the first time in a long time. Here is everything you need to know about the Raiders draft, including selections, grades, and analysis.

Raiders 2026 NFL Draft picks

The Raiders have 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:

• Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
  • In a shocker – to no one – the Silver and Black select the man they’re hoping can lead them to their first playoff victory since … the 2002 AFC championship game. Of course, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is fresh off leading the long downtrodden Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first national title. Mendoza (6-5, 236) doesn’t necessarily have a dominant athletic trait, but he’s highly accurate – completing 72% of his passes last season, 41 for an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns (against 6 INTs). Not necessarily a fear-inducing runner, he nevertheless scored seven TDs on the ground last season, frequently using his legs in the red zone – though the Raiders may be far more reluctant to use him that way than IU was. However his 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game against Miami was among the greatest plays in Indiana history and helped them secure the title. It was also a stark example of Mendoza, who’s also renowned for his toughness in the pocket and taking a shot when need be, playing at his best in the biggest games (see Miami, Penn State and Oregon – twice). Quite a journey for a guy who was once a 2-star football prospect, ranked 2,149th nationally and 140th among quarterbacks by 247Sports. The Raiders almost certainly aren’t ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2026, but GM John Spytek significantly rebuilt the infrastructure Mendoza will step into during free agency – including the acquisition of veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who will mentor Mendoza and, given his familiarity with new head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense, might start at the outset of the 2026 season. Beloved by his teammates in Bloomington and known for his even-keeled approach and drive, though, Mendoza will get his shot to play here soon enough. – Nate Davis
• Round 2, Pick 38 (from Commanders through Texans): Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
  • A versatile DB who generally lives in the box or slot, he should have little trouble earning ample snaps in this defense. An All-Big 12 choice in 2025, he picked off four passes in his sixth and final season with the Wildcats. Keep your head on a swivel, Kelce. – Nate Davis
• Round 3, Pick 67: Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn
  • He didn't start playing football until high school but could develop into a decent pass rusher with seasoning. – Nate Davis
• Round 3, Pick 91 (from Bills through Texans): Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M
  • A big (6-7, 312) versatile blocker, he could get a shot to be fellow rookie Fernando Mendoza’s right tackle at some point. – Nate Davis
• Round 4, Pick 101 (from Bills through Titans): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• Round 4, Pick 122 (from Eagles through Falcons): Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
• Round 5, Pick 150 (from Saints): Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
• Round 5, Pick 175 (comp): Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal
• Round 6, Pick 195 (from Buccaneers): Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
• Round 7, Pick 229 (from Buccaneers): Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State

Raiders NFL draft grades

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Grade: A

The Raiders didn't bother indulging in much misdirection about this pick, and with good reason. Mendoza is a remarkably complete and composed quarterback prospect and could help Las Vegas escape its unending cycle of resets. There could be some early turbulence, especially if an offensive line that surrendered a league-worst 64 sacks doesn't make significant strides. But the Heisman Trophy winner isn't merely a caretaker, as he's proven fully capable of pulling an offense out of deep holes on third down. And with Kirk Cousins in the fold, Las Vegas can prioritize Mendoza's development and not rush him into a potentially unfavorable situation for his long-term trajectory. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona - Grade: A-

This is a fun one. Stukes is far from what you'd expect of a 24-year-old former walk-on, as he's a supreme athlete and playmaker out of the slot. He has to harness his aggressiveness properly, but he elevates a Las Vegas secondary that looks unsettled almost across the board. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

67. Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, DE/OLB, Auburn - Grade: B

The arrow is pointed up for Crawford, who showed off some promising pass-rush tools last season. The Raiders can be patient with his development, and Maxx Crosby should be a fine mentor. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bills via Texans): Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M - Grade: B-

Zuhn was announced as a guard rather than center, where many expected the former left tackle to land. Snagging a quick-moving pass protector to support Ferando Mendoza is a shrewd move, though Zuhn's arm length and athletic limitations cap his ceiling. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

101. (from Bills via Titans): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee – Grade: A

McCoy was widely considered to be a first-round talent, but he slipped all the way to Day 3 due to concerns about his injured knee. The Raiders have long needed a true No. 1 cornerback, so taking a chance on McCoy at this juncture seems like a sensible gamble – if not, a steal.

122. (from Eagles via Falcons)  RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas – Grade: B

A running back over a receiver? The Raiders needed a backup to Ashton Jeanty, but it remains surprising they haven't selected a wide-out to pair with Fernando Mendoza. Nonetheless, Washington was a star at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.33 seconds despite his 6-1, 223-pound frame. His combination of power, speed and productivity will give him shot to be a productive NFL player, though he will need to cut down on his fumbles (10 across five college seasons) to earn the trust of Klint Kubiak and Co.

150. S Dalton Johnson, Arizona – Grade: B-

Las Vegas is in search of reliability on the back end, and Johnson certainly gives him that. No one will confuse him for his past and future teammate Treydan Stukes, but he can still provide a boost, particularly when working downhill.

175. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California – Grade: B

The Raiders have been aggressive in upgrading their secondary, as Masses is the fourth defensive back they have selected. While some may wonder whether Las Vegas should be investing more in building around Fernando Mendoza, this is the right range for Masses, who was a big-time ballhawk during his lone season at Cal. He generated five interceptions and 13 pass defenses for the Golden Bears and sports a 6-1 frame to which he can add more than his current 179 pounds. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

195. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Malik Benson, Oregon – Grade: A

The Raiders have finally added a receiver for Fernando Mendoza. Benson has a nice combination of speed, length and toughness and could have gone earlier than this. That makes this a great value pick for the Raiders.

229. Las Vegas Raiders: DT Brandon Cleveland, NC State – Grade: B

Cleveland is a stout run defender and generated six sacks across his four seasons at NC State. He's a solid rotational player for a Raiders team that needed to add to its defensive tackle rotation.

Raiders undrafted free agent signings

The Raiders continue to build their roster by signing undrafted free agents. You can follow the complete team-by-team list for all 32 here.

• Jacob Clark, QB, Missouri State
• Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana
• Isaiah Jatta, OT, BYU
• Kansei Matsuzawa, K, Hawaii
• Caleb Offord, CB, Kennesaw State
• Gary Smith III, DT, UCLA
• Sawyer Roberston, QB, Baylor

Raiders 2026 NFL Draft needs

Quarterback

Once Mendoza officially becomes a Raider, this one can be crossed off the list. Until that time, it's the No. 1 need.

Wide receiver

The quarterback is going to need someone to throw the ball to. Brock Bowers is a great player, but he doesn't have anyone in the receiver room to take the attention away from him. Expect the Raiders to dive into this position group after Mendoza comes off the board.

Defensive line

Whether Crosby remains with the Raiders is anyone's guess at this point. If he does, the need is for an interior defensive lineman. If he doesn't, that need shifts to the edge. Whether he stays or goes, the Raiders still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches.

Raiders 2026 NFL mock draft

Here's what the Raiders could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:

• Round 1, Pick 1: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
  • This is the most straightforward pick in the entire draft. Mendoza is the top quarterback in the class and a culture-changing addition to a franchise. He’ll usher in Klint Kubiak’s tenure with the Raiders and give the team a fresh start with his high floor thanks to timing, accuracy, football IQ, and overall arm talent.
• Round 2, Pick 36: WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
  • Las Vegas brought in Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young in free agency to bolster the pass-catchers around Mendoza. But they’re still lacking a big body on the outside to win on the boundary. Fields could quickly become a go-to target in the red zone with his big frame at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds. His physicality will be an asset for Mendoza to rely on.
• Round 3, Pick 67: DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
  • Las Vegas finally addresses defense by getting a big man in the middle to eat up blocks in run defense. Hunter’s massive frame at 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds can free up the second-level defenders in Las Vegas, including free agent signees Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.
• Round 4, Pick 102: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
• Round 4, Pick 117: IOL Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
• Round 4, Pick 134: RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
• Round 5, Pick 175: Edge Caden Curry, Ohio State
• Round 6, Pick 185: CB Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri
• Round 6, Pick 208: S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
• Round 7, Pick 219: LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson