2026 Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 10 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: December 30, 2025Executive Summary
Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 selections and critical needs at Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Outside Linebacker. This mock has them addressing their biggest weaknesses while maintaining draft value.
Complete Draft Class:---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #1 - Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana
Rank: #4 overall | Grade: A+ | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:The Giants passing on cornerback to take Spencer Fano at one overall reflects a philosophical pivot toward protecting their quarterback investment above all else. While CB sits atop their needs list, Fano's status as the consensus top tackle in this class—a second-team AP All-American as a true freshman—represents the kind of foundational piece you don't pass up. New York is betting that elite offensive line play creates more wins than any other position group.
The Fit:Fano's loose, fluid movement skills and scheme versatility make him an ideal fit for any system the Giants want to run. His 26 career starts at both left and right tackle demonstrate he can plug in anywhere from day one, though his lean 308-pound frame may require an NFL strength program before he consistently generates movement against power rushers. The Polynesian product with NFL bloodlines—four uncles played professionally—brings the athletic ceiling of Charles Cross with better contact balance.
Scouting Report:If Fernando Mendoza was off the board, Las Vegas Raiders could target similar Quarterbacks in the top 10 range.
See full Las Vegas Raiders 7-round draft →---
Pick #33 - Las Vegas Raiders: Anthony Hill Jr, Inside Linebacker, Texas
Rank: #29 overall | Grade: B+ | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:Las Vegas opens round two by addressing interior defense with Caleb Banks, a rare 6-6, 334-pound specimen whose size-athleticism combination creates matchup nightmares for guards. Banks' explosive first step and elite 35-plus-inch arm length allow him to lock out blockers and walk them into the pocket, while his 4.5 sacks in 2024 prove the pass-rush upside is real. The Raiders are adding a potential game-wrecker to complement their new quarterback.
The Fit:Banks' multiple pass-rush moves—club-swims, push-pulls, two-handed swipes—give Las Vegas an interior presence who can generate pressure when healthy. His dominance in one-on-one situations and quick gap penetration add value, though the recent foot surgery creates availability concerns. The Quinnen Williams-like disruption ceiling is tantalizing, but the high pad level and struggles against double teams need development before he becomes a true anchor.
Scouting Report:If Anthony Hill Jr was off the board, Las Vegas Raiders could target similar Inside Linebackers in the first round range.
See full Las Vegas Raiders 7-round draft →---
Pick #65 - Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
Rank: #64 overall | Grade: B- | Need Match: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Why This Pick:Houston snags Jake Golday before he climbs further up draft boards, recognizing that his 26-tackle explosion through two games in 2025 announced the arrival of a difference-maker at outside linebacker. Golday's rare 6-4, 240-pound frame combines the size-athleticism profile that every NFL team craves at the position, as CBS Sports' Mike Renner proclaimed him exactly the type of 'rangey, jumbo LB' the league is seeking. The Texans are betting on ceiling here.
The Fit:Golday's elite sideline-to-sideline range and dominant run defense—his 80.7 PFF run-defense grade ranked fourth among Big 12 linebackers—give Houston a linebacker who can flow to the ball from anywhere on the field. His length advantages keep offensive linemen at bay while his processing speed triggers him downhill before blocks arrive. The coverage limitations and hip stiffness in space need development, but his early-down impact is immediate.
Scouting Report:If Antonio Williams was off the board, Las Vegas Raiders could target similar Wide Receivers in the second round range.
See full Las Vegas Raiders 7-round draft →---
Pick #101: Xavier Chaplin (Offensive Tackle, Auburn) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #118: Will Lee III (Cornerback, Texas A&M) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #134: Kenyatta Jackson Jr (Edge Rusher, Ohio State) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #174: Keylan Rutledge (Offensive Guard, Georgia Tech) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #182: Tao Johnson (Safety, Utah) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #183: Jacob Rodriguez (Inside Linebacker, Texas Tech) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #217: Keanu Tanuvasa (Defensive Line, BYU) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B What Went Right:---
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