The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to make a cultural shift with several changes to the coaching staff and the roster. During the 2025 season, it became clear that the Raiders needed better quarterback play and improved offensive line play. Other needs include a wide receiver one, more pass rush on the interior and the edge, and playmakers in the secondary.
Free Agency Additions
With several clear needs, Las Vegas got very aggressive in free agency. The most notable addition was signing center Tyler Linderbaum to shore up the interior of the offensive line. Linderbaum provides consistency as a pass blocker but also the strength and power to pave lanes for Ashton Jeanty and the rest of the Raiders' running backs.
Other offensive additions include guard Spencer Burford, wide receivers Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young, and fullback Connor Heyward.
On defense, Las Vegas did a lot to shore up the front seven, especially with the additions of defensive end Kwity Paye and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. These new players in the front end of the Raiders’ defense have the opportunity to help Vegas have a much-improved defense to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run.
Heading into the draft, the Raiders seem to be looking for their quarterback of the future, an upgrade at right tackle, a young receiver who could step up to become a receiver one, and players who can add value in the secondary to improve coverage and force turnovers.
Round 1 Pick 1 (No. 1 Overall)
As the 2026 NFL Draft gets closer, many across the media have tried to make this pick for Las Vegas a controversial one. This has included arguments on whether they should trade back or who the best quarterback in the class is between Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
During this process, it seems that the Raiders have grown toward the idea of drafting Mendoza, which included part-owner Tom Brady and General Manager John Spytek watching Mendoza at the National Championship, where he helped Indiana to win their first Football National Championship in an all-time performance.
Mendoza had an incredible showing in 2025, where he won the Heisman Trophy behind an impressive regular season. Mendoza, in his 2025 campaign, recorded 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, just six interceptions, with a completion percentage of 72.0. His frame at 6-5 and 225 pounds is a huge bright spot for Vegas and could allow Mendoza to have a lengthy and successful NFL career.
Looking at the fit with new head coach Klint Kubiak, this makes a lot of sense with Mendoza having a similar playstyle to Sam Darnold. Like Darnold, Mendoza has enough mobility to handle bootlegs and extend plays when required. He can also be accurate with ball placement and timing in a pro-level offense like what Las Vegas will run under Kubiak.
Vegas has thought about the idea of finding a bridge quarterback to let Mendoza learn the system and not rush him into playing in the NFL if he does need some time to develop to the speed of the game. However, if during camp Mendoza proves he does have the ability to lead the offense with efficiency, precision, and command, the Raiders should have no problem starting Mendoza in Week 1.
Overall, the Raiders have a great opportunity to get their quarterback of the future, who also happens to fit right into what Kubiak would like to run in his first year in Las Vegas, to start what the Raiders hope to be a new era of success.
Round 2 Pick 4 (No. 36 Overall)
After the Raiders draft their quarterback of the future, they opt to find their nose tackle to help strengthen the interior of the 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. To have a successful defense in a 3-4, it takes a dominant defensive front to stop the run and allow the linebackers and secondary to make tackles and big plays at the second and third levels, respectively.
In this draft, one of the best players to do just that is to draft defensive tackle Kayden McDonald from the Ohio State Buckeyes. Throughout his career, McDonald has been known as one of the better run defenders in all of college football. His performance in 2025 was no different.
In his 2025 campaign, McDonald totaled 65 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection, showcasing his dominance up front. According to PFF, McDonald was an elite run defender as he recorded a 91.2 run defense grade (1st), 16 tackles for loss or no gain (1st), and 30 run stops (1st).
This selection for the Raiders is something that could change the trajectory of the defense if McDonald can become as dominant in the NFL as he was in college. Being able to stop the run is a crucial part of the game as it puts offenses in obvious pass formations and allows pass-rushing units to get after the quarterback.
With a player like Maxx Crosby, the opportunity to have a dominant nose tackle in the middle of the defense to stop the run may be something they cannot afford to pass up. No matter what happens in this draft, under Kubiak, the Raiders have an opportunity to reset the culture and the future outlook of the roster.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, many have talked about the idea that it has more starters than stars. For the Raiders, that is perfectly fine. The first two rounds allow them to significantly help the future of the team on both offense and defense with players who have the potential to become stars in Mendoza and McDonald.