B-
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback settled, Mendoza in the fold, and a B- for the Raiders.
by skaarman ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 1 steals
· 2 reaches
The Raiders spent the pick that matters most on Fernando Mendoza, and a roster that has been waiting on a passer can start to take shape.
They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. The cost of the Everette reach is exactly the players who went right after him.
Landing Singleton that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. Job largely done: cornerback settled and 6 of 8 of the wish list covered.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 1st pick they get a long-term answer under center. A real need, handled.
No edge and no loss on Omar Cooper Jr. in the 36th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Daylen Everette at slot 67 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
By-the-book stuff, Darrell Jackson Jr. at the Round 4 slot squarely in line with his ranking. It fills a real need, too.
Nicholas Singleton in Round 4, Pick 17 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A straight-up fair deal on J.C. Davis at pick 134, value and slot in agreement. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on DJ Campbell. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They went early on VJ Payne in pick No. 185, and the value did not follow. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Jadon Canady in the Round 6 slot is fair value, right on his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
No drama and no debate, Keyshaun Elliott went about where he belonged in slot 219. A minor itch, scratched.