B-
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders left with their quarterback, and a B- to match.
by Grumzy ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 2 steals
· 5 reaches
The war room fell hard for Roman Hemby, and it showed at No. 219: 134 picks ahead of a board that had other ideas.
So much rides on Fernando Mendoza that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. The Ponds pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
The roster is better shaped than it was, with cornerback chief among the fixes.
In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 1 they get a franchise quarterback. A clean fit for the roster.
Dillon Thieneman in No. 41 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. A minor itch, scratched.
You do not let a cornerback like D'Angelo Ponds reach the 67th pick and blink. They did not. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Nothing to complain about; Treydan Stukes went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Circle this one: Ja'Kobi Lane at the Round 4 slot is a fall that decides a draft. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Dametrious Crownover at Round 4, Pick 34 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A conviction pick on Taylen Green at pick No. 175 that the board grades a round light. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They jumped the gun on VJ Payne, taking him earlier than his grade liked. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Riley Nowakowski in slot 208 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They reached a country mile for Roman Hemby at Round 7, Pick 3, and the board is aghast. It fills a real need, too.