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April 23 2026
-
skaarman DRAFTING FOR THERaiders
Draft Selections
Draft Grade — Raiders
Overall
B-
ValueB-
NeedB
TradesB-
FutureB-
The Raiders drew a line under the quarterback search with Mendoza: B-. The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Raiders spent their marquee pick on Fernando Mendoza, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. They moved the roster forward and banked a B- for it.
If Payne pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about. The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer. Thieneman falling to them is the kind of break a good board is built to catch.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick Analysis
Pick1
Rnd1
Fernando Mendoza
No edge and no loss on Fernando Mendoza in pick No. 1; it is a wash and a sensible one. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Pick36
Rnd2
Dillon Thieneman
The board had Dillon Thieneman higher than Round 2, Pick 4, and the safety fell to them anyway. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Pick67
Rnd3
Germie Bernard
Germie Bernard at slot 67 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick102
Rnd4
Jalen Farmer
Jalen Farmer in the 102nd overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick117
Rnd4
Nicholas Singleton
Nicholas Singleton in No. 117 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Pick134
Rnd4
Chris McClellan
A premium they did not need to pay, Chris McClellan a notch or two before his time. The roster fit checks out.
Pick175
Rnd5
VJ Payne
VJ Payne at the 175th pick is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Pick185
Rnd6
Ephesians Prysock
Ephesians Prysock in the Round 6 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick208
Rnd6
Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson at slot 208 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A minor itch, scratched.
Pick219
Rnd7
Kaelon Black
Kaelon Black in the 219th overall pick is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.










