The Las Vegas Raiders have big decisions to make over the next three days. Of course, the first pick won’t be a tough decision, but general manager Jon Spitek has nine other selections after the first round, and he needs immediate contributors.
Last year, the Raiders added 11 new players to their roster. However, other than running back Ashton Jeanty, the class of 2025 had a very disappointing season. The previous coaching staff preferred veterans like Alex Cappa and Tyler Lockett over Caleb Rogers and Jack Beech or Donte Thornton Jr.
If this year’s class gets as much playing time as last year’s group, the Raiders could see tremendous growth.
Las Vegas is only a few hours away, arriving on time. In the meantime, here’s a final 2026 mock draft for the Silver and Black. These selections are based on how the team can meet roster needs.
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Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The only lock in this year’s draft. Once the Raiders clinched the No. 1 spot in the standings, everyone knew they would turn their attention to Fernando Mendoza, who put on a show in front of the Raiders brass during the College Football Playoff.
General manager John Spitek could make changes to the card as the clock starts ticking on Thursday night. Mendoza will be the ray of hope this franchise needs to get back on the right path.
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Round 2, Pick 36: Jermaine Bernard, WR, Alabama
According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden and Matt Miller, the Raiders will consider a second-round prospect who could help Mendoza at offensive tackle or wide receiver.
If that’s the case, the wideout is likely to have a more immediate impact by having a clear path to playing time on the field. Unless Las Vegas trades DJ Glaze, a rookie right tackle will have to compete with him for the job.
As rookies, Jack Beech and Donte Thornton Jr. played sparingly. Additionally, Spytek prepared him for former play-caller Chip Kelly’s offense. Offensive-minded head coach Clint Kubiak may want a different skill set or type of receiver for his system.
Jerami Bernard would be an ideal fit due to his ability to line up at all three receiver spots. Additionally, his experience in a motion-heavy offense should translate well to Kubiak’s scheme, which includes pre-snap movement to highlight mismatches.
Although Bernard does not have escape speed, he is difficult to bring down after the catch. More importantly, he rarely missed passes in college. Kubiak can finally rely on him as a reliable high-IQ playmaker to lead his receiver corps.
Round 3, Pick 67: AJ Holsey, S, LSU
AJ Holsey will provide the Raiders with the best of both worlds at safety. He can set the tone for the back end of the defense with bone-jarring tackles and forced turnovers in coverage.
Over the last two years at Houston and LSU, Halsey became a football magnet, recording eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He also played with controlled aggression and went the previous campaign without conceding a penalty.
Halsey is an all-around safety who can earn playing time immediately due to his ball skills. If necessary, he will line up on special teams while working his way up the depth chart.
Round 4, Pick 102: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Domonique Orange’s skill set and recent experience is exactly what the Raiders need on their defense.
Defensive tackles Jonah Laulou and Tonka Hemingway should play more snaps in the upcoming season after getting four sacks each. Las Vegas needs the nose tackles to combat double-teams and stop the run.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Orange played the second-most snaps (412) in the A-gap among FBS players. The 6-2, 325-pounder could start on opening day at nose tackle in defensive coordinator Rob Leonard’s 3-4 defense.
Round 4, Pick 117: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
Although Glaze is the frontrunner to become the starting right tackle, he has had a disappointing sophomore season. He allowed 10 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Yes, the Raiders’ previous coaching staff bears some of the blame for the poor offensive line play, however the new arrangement should not simply hand the starting job to Glaze. Spytek could add competition at right tackle.
Travis Burke has experience on both sides of the line, dating back to his time at Gardner-Webb. After playing left tackle for two years at Florida International, he joined the Memphis Tigers at right tackle in 2025.
If Burke is unable to beat out Glaze for the main spot at right tackle he could work his way into the swing tackle role.
Round 4, Pick 134: Ketron Allen, RB, Penn State
Las Vegas is expected to sign a veteran running back after the draft. Najee Harris is still available. However, for now, Spytek can fill the RB2 role with an experienced ball-carrier.
Ketron Allen played four collegiate seasons and led Penn State for three of those tenures. He has three-down ability if he is able to complete his blocking assignments. The 5-11, 216-pounder caught 70 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns with the Nittany Lions.
Kellon Black is a popular choice for the Raiders due to Mendoza’s Indiana ties, but Kubiak may prefer a bigger tailback similar to his previous RB2, Zach Charbonnet, who is listed at 6-1, 214 pounds. At 5-9, 208 pounds, Black is an undersized running back.
Round 5, Pick 175: Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Max Crosby should be healthy for the upcoming season, though Spytek can’t ignore the wear and tear on the star’s body due to surgeries over the years. The team shut him down, in part, for his well-being so he could begin the recovery process from surgery on his meniscus.
All told, the Raiders need to improve their pass-rush depth. Free-agent acquisition Kwity Payne has the potential to line up at different positions, but Malcolm Cousins will play on another one-year, prove-it deal.
While Caden Curry doesn’t have the versatility or athletic profile of a starting-round prospect at the position, the 6’3″, 257-pound defensive end could be an up-and-coming player. In his only season as a starter at Ohio State, he recorded 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.
Round 6, Pick 185: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri
Due to size limitations, Toriano Pride Jr. will likely be a late pick on Day 3, but if not for his 5-10, 185-pound frame, he could be a popular sleeper pick.
Pride played two years at Clemson and a few years at Missouri, recording four pass breakups and two interceptions in each of his last two collegiate seasons. He uses 4.32 speed to make up for his lack of size in coverage and tackles well in space.
Pride isn’t going to line up against elite receivers at the pro level, but he could have a future at safety or behind Terron Johnson.
Round 6, Pick 208: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
Spytek discusses the mathematics of his security room, which only has three players.
The Raiders need to double down at the position. They may take a chance on Bishop Fitzgerald, who can contribute on special teams and bring ball production on the back end of the defense.
Critics will question Fitzgerald’s athletic profile, but that didn’t stop him from recording 24 pass breakups and 10 interceptions over the past two years at North Carolina State and USC.
Round 7, Pick 219: David Guesta, NT, Kentucky
The Raiders end the draft with another 300-plus-pounder who can stop the run but is better as a pass-rusher than the Orange, who is projected to go in the middle rounds.
You need to look beyond the basic box score numbers to realize David Guesta’s playmaking ability beyond his run stopping ability.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gusta recorded 29 pressures with an 11 percent pass-rush win rate last season. He’s an intriguing late-round prospect who could carve out a three-down role in the defensive line rotation. In 2025, the Kentucky product played 258 snaps in the A-gap, according to PFF.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for the Silver and Black TODAY – Powered by Sportsknot. You can follow him on Twitter @momoton.
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