Sports
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Raiders to look to 2026 NFL Draft for offensive linemen
TL;DR
The Las Vegas Raiders plan to target offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite recent free agency additions. General manager John Spytek emphasized the difficulty of acquiring quality linemen, especially after a season marked by the most sacks allowed and fewest rushing yards per carry.
At his pre-draft press conference on Tuesday, Raiders general manager John Spytek stated that Las Vegas will work toward adding even more offensive linemen to their roster in the draft, even with the additions that they’ve already made in the open market this offseason.
“They're such a hard position to acquire, whether it's in the draft, it's almost impossible in free agency it feels like, especially at certain positions,” Spytek said. “And just because we've added certain guys through free agency, doesn't mean that we won't be looking for offensive linemen too. I'm on record of saying they're sexy as hell, and I stand by that."
The Raiders’ offensive line gave up the most sacks in the NFL in 2025 with 64. Las Vegas also recorded the fewest rushing yards per carry as a unit last season at 3.6, as well as the fewest first downs on the ground with 67.
Las Vegas is highly anticipated to take Indiana’s Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in draft. However, an offensive lineman will be in contention to land in Las Vegas as early as Day 2 of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders to look to 2026 NFL Draft for offensive linemen
Q&A
Why are the Raiders focusing on offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Raiders are prioritizing offensive linemen due to their struggles last season, where they allowed the most sacks in the NFL and had the fewest rushing yards per carry.
Who is the Raiders expected to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Raiders are highly anticipated to select Indiana's Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
What were the Raiders' offensive line statistics in the 2025 NFL season?
In the 2025 NFL season, the Raiders' offensive line allowed 64 sacks, recorded the fewest rushing yards per carry at 3.6, and had the fewest first downs on the ground with 67.