B-
Las Vegas Raiders
Mendoza is the Raiders' new face under center. Grade: B-.
by skaarman ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 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. A sturdy weekend that grades out a B-.
However the rest shakes out, Hunter at that price is a win they earned. Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
The Payne pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
By-the-book stuff, Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 squarely in line with his ranking. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
No edge and no loss on Chris Bell in pick 36; it is a wash and a sensible one. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Circle this one: Lee Hunter at Round 3, Pick 3 is a fall that decides a draft. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Bud Clark in the Round 4 slot is fair value, right on his grade. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Fair-plus on De'Zhaun Stribling, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They let Trey Zuhn III come to them and pounced at slot 134. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr in the 175th pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
They paid up for VJ Payne at the 185th overall pick when waiting would have done the job. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
They read the board right and Dallen Bentley was the payoff at the 208th overall pick. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They took Kaelon Black at par in No. 219, which is nothing to complain about. It fills a real need, too.