All year long, general manager John Spytek and the scouts worked miles to prepare before arriving on time Thursday. After entering the draft with 10 picks, the Raiders made 10 selections by wheeling and dealing. Eight of them came within the first 175 picks as Spytek made five trades.
Let's analyze all of the Raiders draft selections.
Las Vegas Raiders officially select Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall
Since the Raiders knew they had the top pick heading into Week 18, Spytek had his eye on one player. Winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship made Fernando Mendoza's case even stronger.
"We had a great process and we promised ourselves, the ownership group, the fans that we would do it the right way," Spytek said. "We didn't start with the end in mind. Every step of the way, he checked the boxes. He made it very easy for us to realize this was the right guy at the right time for the Raiders."
Connected:Fernando Mendoza is exactly what the Raiders were missing
No. 38: Treydon Stukes, S, Arizona
For the second year in a row, Spytech found value with a second round of declines. Originally holding the 36th pick, Las Vegas traded that selection and the 117th pick to Houston to acquire the 38th and 91st picks. The 38th became Stukes, a safety from Arizona who recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups last season. They had first round potential before losing to the Raiders in the second round.
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No. 67: Kieron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
With their third-round selection, the Raiders selected Crawford, an edge rusher from Auburn. He joins Max Crosby and Kwity Paye in the defensive end room. Malcolm Koons is on a one-year deal, and Tyree Wilson — who was traded Saturday — is expected to be a free agent after the season. This clears the way for Crawford to develop into a long-term contributor.
No. 91: Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M
The second pick from the Houston trade, Zuhn continues the team's investment in the offensive line. After signing Tyler Linderbaum this offseason and drafting Jackson Powers-Johnson two years ago, Las Vegas continues to move forward. Zuhn ranked first out of 632 eligible offensive linemen in PFF pass-blocking grade last season with a 96.8, leading to 10 total pressures – including two sacks and a hit – with only one penalty.
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No. 101: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
To begin the third and final day of the draft, Spitek made his second trade, acquiring the 101st overall pick from Buffalo for the 102nd pick and a seventh-round selection the following year. Las Vegas moved up one spot to running back McCoy, a cornerback from Tennessee with potential top-10 upside who went down in January with a torn ACL. His recovery will determine whether the Raiders take full advantage of the move.
No. 122: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Despite sending the 117th pick to Houston, Spytek moved up again in the fourth round, receiving the 122nd pick from Atlanta for the 134th and 208th picks. Washington, 6 feet and 225 pounds, ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine and totaled 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries for the Razorbacks last season. He serves as the backup to Ashton Jeanty and brings the size and explosiveness to break off a big run.
RELATED: Ashton Jeanty has the tools, plan and platform for Year 2 with the Raiders
No. 150: Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
The Raiders made their third pick of the final day by acquiring the 219th pick and the 150th pick from New Orleans in exchange for Wilson. Las Vegas drafted Johnson, Stuck's former Arizona teammate, who is known for his versatility – he can play free safety, strong safety, nickel and slot.
No. 175: Hezekiah Maas, CB, Cal
Just when you thought the Raiders were focused on the secondary, Las Vegas drafted Hezekiah Maas out of UC Berkeley. Last year with the Golden Bears, Masses recorded five interceptions and nine pass breakups.
The Raiders drafted Janata out of California, their fourth defensive pick of the draft. He recorded five interceptions and nine pass breakups last season for the Golden Bears. His selection, along with Stucks and Johnson, allows Las Vegas to rotate Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn into the nickel and strong safety roles.
No. 195: Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
The Raiders traded the 185th pick to Tampa Bay for the 195th and 229th picks, and used the first of them on Benson. He led Oregon with 716 yards and six touchdowns last season and projects as a deep threat for Mendoza. A nice project for Clint Kubiak, but far from north for the thin wide receiver room.
No. 229: Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State
With their 10th and final pick, the Raiders took Cleveland, a defensive tackle from NC State. He started two seasons on the Wolfpack's defensive line and had 10 tackles for loss his last two years, giving Las Vegas interior pass-rush depth on all three downs.
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