B-
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders left with their quarterback, and a B- to match.
by Grumzy ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The tape said wait; the Raiders did not. Roman Hemby went at pick 219, a good 134 picks before the board was ready.
Fernando Mendoza gives the offense a face and a plan, and the grade leans heavily on whether he hits. If one pick saves this weekend, it is Lew.
Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. Cornerback was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.
Nothing here to lose sleep over, and plenty to feel decent about.
Pick-by-Pick
Fernando Mendoza in pick 1 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The roster fit checks out.
They paid up for Lee Hunter at pick No. 36 when waiting would have done the job. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They paid sticker price for Michael Taaffe in slot 67, and that is fine. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Treydan Stukes in the 102nd overall pick is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Circle this one: Connor Lew at the 117th pick is a fall that decides a draft. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on J.C. Davis. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A reach for Taylen Green in pick No. 175; a little patience would have been rewarded. A need, and now a little less of one.
A big swing on Riley Nowakowski at the 185th pick, well ahead of any board in the building. It fills a real need, too.
A quiet steal in No. 208: VJ Payne for less than the market said. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
A real head-scratcher, Roman Hemby in pick 219 is miles ahead of his ranking. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.