The Raiders' 2026 Draft class has been graded, highlighting their selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. The analysis focuses on the team's draft strategy and the value of their picks.
Key points
Raiders' 2026 Draft class is completed
Fernando Mendoza selected first overall
Grading focuses on draft strategy and value
Mendoza's pick was seen as impactful
RaidersFernando Mendoza
The Raiders 2026 Draft class is in the books. While it might be years before we know what kind of talent the Raiders just selected, what we can do right now is grade how they worked the draft, found value, and went about filling the needs of the team. Here are my grades for the Raiders draft class.
Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall pick to Raiders graphic
Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall pick to Raiders graphic
There was one team in this draft who had a very clear assignment. It was the Raiders and that assignment was to take Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. They did that. And it might have been a no-brainer pick they were supposed to make, but it doesn't make it any less impactful.
Grade: A+
Round 2, pick 38 -- Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
Treydan Stukes at 38 overall to Raiders graphic
Treydan Stukes at 38 overall to Raiders graphic
Sitting there on the board for the Raiders at 36 was Washington WR Denzel Boston and DT Kayden McDonald. The former was considered the best X receiver in this draft, the latter, arguably the best nose tackle. Both positions being the Raiders top needs. They opted not to select either of them, and instead traded down two spots to 38, and gaining and extra day three pick (91 for 117) in the process.
Q&A
Who did the Raiders select with the first pick in the 2026 Draft?
The Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the first overall pick.
What are the grades for the Raiders' 2026 Draft class?
The article provides a detailed grading of the Raiders' draft class, focusing on their overall strategy and value.
How did the Raiders approach the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Raiders had a clear assignment to select Fernando Mendoza, which they executed, indicating a focused approach to filling team needs.
What impact does Fernando Mendoza's selection have on the Raiders?
Selecting Mendoza as the first overall pick is expected to have a significant impact on the team's future, addressing their quarterback needs.
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The Texans then took McDonald at 36. Boston was still there, but they passed him up again, opting to fill what was considered their next biggest need at safety with the selection of Stukes. A nearly 25-year-old nickel cornerback they intend to move to safety.
One thing is hard to deny is his combination of smarts (Academic Honor Roll) and speed (4.33 40). Plenty to work with there.
Grade: B
Round 3, pick 67 -- Keyron Crawford, DE, Auburn
Keyshawn Crawford drafted by Raiders graphic
Keyshawn Crawford drafted by Raiders graphic
The Raiders went with BPA with this pick. Defensive end was not among the team's major needs since they had been able to hold onto Maxx Crosby while re-signing Malcolm Koonce and adding Kwity Paye.
On the other hand, Paye is not known for his great pass rush and Koonce underperformed last season, so it's possible Crawford could be a useful addition. And, despite his solid production at the college level, he seems to still have room to develop.
Grade: B
Round 3, pick 91 -- Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M
Trey Zuhn III to the Raiders graphic
Trey Zuhn III to the Raiders graphic
With their added third round pick from the trade down atop round two, the Raiders bulked up the interior line. Zuhn played tackle in college but was projected as a center in the pros. The Raiders want him at guard. This, again, looks like a BPA type of pick as guard was not one of their major holes to fill. That being said, he is an outstanding pass blocker and a good fit for the the zone blocking scheme new Oline coack Rick Dennison will deploy.
Grade: B+
Round 4, pick 101 -- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Jermod McCoys selected by Raiders at pick 101 graphic
Jermod McCoys selected by Raiders at pick 101 graphic
The Raiders got aggressive to start day four. They had the second pick in the round, but didn't want to risk their guy getting selected ahead of them, so they traded up one spot, sending a seventh round pick to Buffalo to make the move. Then they grabbed the guy who had been sitting atop Best Available lists since midway through the first round.
Jermod McCoy was the 14th overall prospect on the Consensus Big Board. But concerns about his knee had him fall to day three. Day three is right when you take a flyer on a talent like McCoy with an injury risk. Great pick and being aggressive like that is always a plus in my book.
Grade: A
Round, 4, pick 122 -- Mike Washington Jr, RB, Arkansas
Mike Washington Jr selected by Raiders
Mike Washington Jr selected by Raiders
Once again, the Raiders didn't sit around and hope prospects came to them. They saw Mike Washington Jr still on the board at least a full round longer than he probably should be and they moved up to get him.
The only backs I liked more in this draft than Washington were Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. And both went in the first round. And in terms of those who I saw as great complementary backs for Ashton Jeanty, Washington was on a very short list as well. This might be my favorite pick for the Raiders in this draft behind the obvious Mendoza pick.
Grade: A+
Round 5, pick 150 -- Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
Dalton Johnson selected by Raiders at 150 graphic
Dalton Johnson selected by Raiders at 150 graphic
This is a bonus pick of sorts because they managed to find someone to take Tyree Wilson in a trade to get the selection. The player they took was a just as surprising.
Another Arizona safety is very interesting. Also interesting the similarities Johnson seems to have with Stukes. They both are versatile safeties who also play nickel corner. Johnson might be a better suited for strong safety than Stukes. They both had four interceptions last season. Johnson had nearly twice as many pass breakups (11) than Stukes (6). Still, seems somewhat odd, again, considering the Raiders needs elsewhere and the fact that they have a pretty good strong safety/nickel corner in Jeremy Chinn.
Grade: B
Round 5, pick 175 -- Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal
Hezekiah Masses selected by Raiders at 175 graphic
Hezekiah Masses selected by Raiders at 175 graphic
For the fourth time in this draft, the Raiders drafted a defensive back. Though it's the second outside cornerback and they are in need of depth at the position. It's hard to argue with the production Masses had at Cal, defending an FBS best 18 passes while intercepting five. To get a DB with those kind of numbers this late in the draft is a win.
After trading away their initial seventh round pick earlier in the draft, they got one back by trading down in the sixth round from pick 185 to 195. Then they got one of the more intriguing deep threat receivers in this draft. He had one season of great college production, but mainly because he was late to football and had to work his way up through the JuCo ranks. But he was electric for the high-powered Ducks offense last season and is trending up in his development.
Grade: A
Round 7, pick 229 -- Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State
Brandon Cleveland selected at 229 by Raiders graphic
Brandon Cleveland selected at 229 by Raiders graphic
With their final pick in the draft, the Raiders finally addressed their gaping hole at nose tackle. Not exactly the spot in the draft you expect to get a plug-and-play level player, so it's not really the same as going after one on Day two.
Grade: A-
Overall, there weren't any glaring reach or WTF type if selections. And many of the selections that seemed confusing from a team need standpoint were praised by a lot of draft gurus, so you can see where the Raiders heads were at when they made their choice. They also had a nice mix of patience and aggressiveness to get what they wanted, especially on day three.