B-
Las Vegas Raiders
A franchise passer in Mendoza headlines a B- weekend for the Raiders.
by jlwalker43 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 4 steals
· 2 reaches
After circling the position for what felt like forever, the Raiders committed. Fernando Mendoza is the quarterback now, and the roster gets built to his timeline. It does the job without flash, and the B- reflects it.
Getting Hurst where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
If York pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about.
Not a headline-grabber, but a perfectly good weekend's work.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get the arm they will build around. A clean fit for the roster.
They jumped the gun on Gennings Dunker, taking him earlier than his grade liked. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Steal is underselling it; Keith Abney II at pick 67 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Taurean York at the 102nd overall pick is a conviction pick that outran the value. A minor itch, scratched.
They barely believed it either: Ted Hurst still on the board at No. 117. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
A tidy little value on Parker Brailsford in the 134th pick, a step better than break-even. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Louis Moore is a better player than Round 5, Pick 35 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Nice patience on Zane Durant, who had no business lasting to slot 185. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Kaelon Black at Round 6, Pick 27 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It fills a real need, too.
Jeremiah Wright at slot 219 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the offensive lineman. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.