Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesGradesPicks TrackerBest AvailableThe BeastTop 300 Rankings2026 NFL Draft The Raiders took a chance Jermod McCoy with the first pick of the fourth round. Caitie McMekin / News Sentinel / Imagn Images Share article23The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday with 10 picks over the three-day draft. It was no secret that they were going to spend the draft’s top pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. After that things got interesting, including a Day 3 trade of edge Tyree Wilson, the seventh pick of the draft three years ago, for a late-round pick swap. Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Raiders pick. Don't miss our team's comprehensive coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft. Some highlights: Our Day 3 live blog features the latest news and expert analysis. Best available players: Who's left from Dane Brugler's top 300? Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman grade the selections: Day 1 | 2 A running list of picks, from No. 1 through ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ at No. 257. e||125{e.exports=function(e){var n=document.createElement("style");return e.setAttributes(n,e.attributes),e.insert(n,e.options),n}},682:e=>{var n={};e.exports=function(e,t){var r=function(e){if(void 0===n[e]){var t=document.querySelector(e);if(window.HTMLIFrameElement&&t instanceof window.HTMLIFrameElement)try{t=t.contentDocument.head}catch(e){t=null}n[e]=t}return n[e]}(e);if(!r)throw new Error("Couldn't find a style target. This probably means that the value for the 'insert' parameter is invalid.");r.appendChild(t)}},692:(e,n,t)=>{e.exports=t(513)},719:function(e,n,t){var r=this&&this.__importDefault||function(e){return e&&e.__esModule?e:{default:e}};Object.defineProperty(n,"__esModule",{value:!0});var l=r(t(326)),a=t(776),o=r(t(947)),u=document.querySelector("#rich-storyline-root");u?(0,a.createRoot)(u).render(l.default.createElement(o.default,null)):console.error("Graphics: Root element not found")},776:(e,n,t)=>{var r=t(623);n.createRoot=r.createRoot,n.hydrateRoot=r.hydrateRoot},947:function(e,n,t){var r,l=this&&this.__createBinding||(Object.create?function(e,n,t,r){void 0===r&&(r=t);var l=Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(n,t);l&&!("get"in l?!n.__esModule:l.writable||l.configurable)||(l={enumerable:!0,get:function(){return n[t]}}),Object.defineProperty(e,r,l)}:function(e,n,t,r){void 0===r&&(r=t),e[r]=n[t]}),a=this&&this.__setModuleDefault||(Object.create?function(e,n){Object.defineProperty(e,"default",{enumerable:!0,value:n})}:function(e,n){e.default=n}),o=this&&this.__importStar||(r=function(e){return r=Object.getOwnPropertyNames||function(e){var n=[];for(var t in e)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(e,t)&&(n[n.length]=t);return n},r(e)},function(e){if(e&&e.__esModule)return e;var n={};if(null!=e)for(var t=r(e),o=0;o{var r=t(326),l=t(692);function a(e){for(var n="https://reactjs.org/docs/error-decoder.html?invariant="+e,t=1;t After transferring from California last season, Mendoza (6-5, 236) led Indiana — the losingest program in college football history — to its first national championship while winning the Heisman Trophy in the process. He threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and completed 72 percent of his passes. He also rushed for one of the greatest touchdowns in college football history that ultimately sealed the Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff championship. — Scott Dochterman A one-year starter at Indiana (and three-year starter overall), Mendoza thrived in offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s RPO-heavy offense (every run is tied to a read). He earned starter-level grades from NFL scouts after the 2024 season, despite having three different offensive coordinators in his three seasons at Cal. However, he elevated his profile even further with a special, Heisman-winning performance in 2025 and separated himself as the NFL Draft’s clear QB1. He led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record and the national championship, capping off the greatest season in school history. Mendoza has an outstanding feel for touch, placement and layering throws, and he’s an elite back-shoulder thrower. He benefited at Indiana from a quick-read offense (non-stop hitches, slants and outs), but he decisively and accurately rips his initial looks. His physical traits are good, not great, but he makes up for that with advanced mental skills. Though not a dynamic athlete, he does just enough to escape pursuit and keep plays alive. With his toughness (both mental and physical), he moves on from negative plays immediately and shows a knack for finding clutch completions in adverse situations. The clear QB1: intuition, throwing accuracy and confidence are superpowers. Raiders select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft We’ve heard reports that the Raiders “want Kirk Cousins to start all year,” but whether it’s Kirk Cousins or Mendoza, this is a win for Brock Bowers and the receiving cast (however the final group looks). As for Mendoza, in SuperFlex dynasty, he’s worth the 1.01 if you’re QB-needy. If not, he’s the 1.02 given his ceiling of being a backend QB1 for years. In redraft (single QB), Mendoza is worth a late-round gamble … if preseason reports have him in play for Week 1, or possibly replacing Cousins quickly, similar to Jaxson Dart for the Giants in Week 4 last year. — Jake Ciely Stukes is a bit older and can be a bit too aggressive, but he’s also one of the best athletes in the draft (4.33 40, 1.50 10-yard split, 10-10 broad jump) with elite make-up speed. Stukes is also known as an elite leader, bringing more character to the Raider locker room. — Nick Baumgardner A starter for three-and-a-half years at Arizona, Stukes played the “F Kat” nickel position in defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales’ scheme. While playing under three different head coaches and five defensive coordinators over his college career, he was primarily an outside cornerback his first three seasons before moving inside for his final three years (1,174 career snaps in the nickel, 943 at outside corner, 503 at safety). In his final season, he didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage and led the Big 12 in interceptions per game (0.40). A former walk-on, Stukes competed with the same passion and toughness as a senior captain as he did when he was a wide-eyed freshman straining for a scholarship. Despite some wasted movements in his transitions, he closes space in coverage with the ball awareness to disrupt the catch point. He plays with toughness and physicality near the line, although he needs to clean up things as a tackler. An instinctive athlete with confidence and versatility; will fit best in a nickel defense. Raiders trade down in Round 2, select Arizona DB Treydan Stukes with 38th pick With only five years of organized football, Crawford (6-4, 253) is raw but athletic. With Maxx Crosby back, edge is the one position where the Raiders have depth, and they can develop Crawford at his pace. However, the Raiders still need help at offensive line, and three picks into the draft, it should have been addressed by now. — Scott Dochterman Crawford played the “Buck” edge defender role (mostly stand-up) in former defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin’s hybrid front. After two seasons at Arkansas State, he was a backup for the Tigers in 2024 before emerging in 2025 as one of the more disruptive players in the SEC. Despite rushing the passer on just 39.1 percent of his snaps, he notched a pressure on 17.8 percent of his pass-rush snaps in 2025 (No. 4 in the SEC and No. 12 in the FBS). NFL scouts focused this past fall on the Auburn defensive line to see Keldric Faulk — and left buzzing about Crawford. He explodes off the ball with purpose and a growing repertoire of pass-rush moves. He lacks ideal length and lower-body power, and he feels undersized at times on tape, especially once bigger bodies latch onto him. But his effort consistently pops as a pass rusher, run defender and dropper. Lacks ideal size, length and power, but has the skill set to contribute right away. The Raiders doubled down on defense to start Day 2, taking Crawford in the third round after Stukes in the second. Las Vegas has depth at the edge (update: They traded Tyree Wilson on Saturday), making the Auburn product an interesting pick considering needs like offensive line, defensive tackle and wide receiver are still unfilled. But Crawford’s potential is palpable; he was third-team All-SEC in 2025, just his fifth season playing organized football. The Raiders have the means to be patient and develop Crawford, making him an intriguing upside selection. In Zuhn, the Raiders picked up an SEC co-offensive lineman of the year who has positional flexibility. With the Aggies, Zuhn (6-6 ½, 312) played center but he’ll slide to guard alongside Tyler Linderbaum in Las Vegas. Zuhn immediately upgrades the Raiders’ interior offensive line. — Scott Dochterman A four-year starter, Zuhn worked primarily at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s balanced scheme. The Aggies started to mix up their line rotations in 2025, including playing Zuhn inside at center (right-handed snapper) for 126 snaps. Zuhn earned All-SEC honors each of the past two seasons and shared the 2025 SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (top blocker in the SEC) with Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. Zuhn is a college tackle who has the body and skill set that necessitate a move to the interior at the next level. (NFL scout: “Staff claims he’s the most pro-ready lineman they’ve ever had.”) He is urgent in his setup, quickly finds his landmark and flashes savvy hands. However, his average play strength and lack of length don’t go unnoticed versus power rushers or in the run game. Coachable and razor sharp, he should have little trouble handling the complexities of center in the NFL. An alert, athletic blocker with starting-caliber upside in the right situation. The Raiders got Fernando Mendoza a new protector with their final pick of Day 2. Zuhn played primarily left tackle for the Aggies and earned the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy at the position in 2025. But Las Vegas announced him as a guard with the selection, forecasting him as potential competition for new signee Spencer Burford and/or Jackson Powers-Johnson. Zuhn will provide needed help up front wherever he plays for Las Vegas, as the Raiders had one of the league’s worst lines in 2025. A one-year starter at Tennessee (and one-and-a-half-year starter overall), McCoy was the left cornerback (primarily outside) in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. Known more as an offensive player in high school, he announced himself as an up-and-coming cornerback at Oregon State in 2023 — his first career interception came against then-Cal QB Fernando Mendoza. He transferred to Tennessee as a sophomore and had an All-America season, with 13 passes defended and four interceptions, before an ACL injury wiped out his junior year. The bad news is McCoy doesn’t have any 2025 tape. The good news is McCoy’s 2024 tape is really, really good. He is patient, agile and balanced in press-man coverage and has the reactive athleticism to gear up or down quickly. Though he has the requisite speed for the NFL, his panic moments downfield can draw him out of phase or lead to flags. He shows terrific awareness in zone to feel and bait routes around him, while also driving on the action in front of him. Missed 2025 with a torn ACL, but looked like an NFL starter pre-injury. Raiders select Jermod McCoy, Tennessee CB, with No. 101 pick in 2026 NFL Draft A one-year starter at Arkansas, Washington emerged as the featured back in former offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s balanced spread scheme. After stops at Buffalo and New Mexico State, he transferred to Fayetteville in 2025 with low expectations, but he played the best ball of his career on a bad team, ranking top 10 nationally with 6.4 yards per carry. Washington has an impressive-looking physique and the downhill burst that generally makes tackling him high a bad idea for defenders. Despite some stiffness in his lower half, he is quick to read, collect his feet and cut away from pursuit with speed to finish. A good-sized, punishing athlete who will need to improve on third down. The Raiders needed a backup to Ashton Jeanty after letting Zamir White and Raheem Mostert hit the open market this offseason. They got him one in the fourth round with Washington. The 6-1, 223-pound back has elite speed, running a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. He has the size and strength to punish NFL tacklers. A three-year starter at Arizona, Johnson played the “B Kat” safety position in defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales’ scheme (his fourth defensive coordinator in five seasons in the program). He became a starter as a sophomore and posted consistent tackle numbers each year, with his best production coming as a senior (tied for the team lead in 2025 with four interceptions). Johnson put together a solid college resume and backs up that experience with a mature work ethic that translated to the field. Though his lack of length shows at times as a tackler, he throws his body around with admirable toughness as a run defender. In coverage, he showed improved awareness as a senior, but scouts have questions about his eye discipline and man-cover skills. The Raiders continued to bolster their secondary with the selection of Johnson. He joins his college teammate Treydan Stukes, who the Raiders took with pick No. 38. Johnson’s on-ball production fits the Raiders defensive need after they ranked 31st in the league in pass breakups a season ago. A one-year starter at California (and three-and-a-half-year starter overall), Masses was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Terrence Brown’s scheme, playing mostly press-bail, trail and off coverages. A low-ranked high school recruit, he built the foundation of his game over his three seasons at FIU. He transferred to Cal for his senior season and took the FBS lead in passes defended in Week 2, then didn’t surrender his crown the rest of the season. Masses has the ball production (FBS-best 18 passes defended in 2025) that gets your attention — and the tape that keeps you intrigued. He is aggressive from press, with the feet and reactive movements to mirror and match in man. He uses his peripherals to feel route combinations and keep tabs on the quarterback, although his impatience to prevent plays also leads to early contact and flags. His questionable strength will be tested early and often against NFL power. The Raiders continued to add to their secondary on Day 3 with the selection of Masses. A ballhawk (18 pass breakups were tied for the FBS lead in 2025), Masses further addresses Las Vegas’s need of playmakers in the secondary. A one-year starter at Oregon (and two-and-a-half-year starter overall), Benson was a perimeter wideout (80.2 percent of career snaps) in former offensive coordinator Will Stein’s spread scheme. A well-traveled prospect, he played for four different programs over the past four years but performed his best as a senior, leading the Ducks in receiving yards. He tied for third in the Big Ten (with Jeremiah Smith and Omar Cooper Jr.) with 15 catches of 20-plus yards, and he was one of five FBS players in 2025 to average better than 17.5 yards per punt return. A deep-ball weapon, Benson is a fleet-of-foot athlete who can really fly once he opens up on downfield patterns (caught 11 of 17 targets of 20-plus yards in 2025). He can loosen coverage with the threat of his speed, but lacks the rhythm and efficiency to easily separate at the top of routes. He extends well to pull the ball in, although his lack of desired size and strength will be tough to mask in NFL traffic. The Raiders finally add a receiver in the sixth round. Las Vegas had a need for an X, particularly one who can make the contested catches Fernando Mendoza had so much success with at Indiana. While they had several chances to take one over Days 2 and 3, Benson can somewhat fit that role with a value pick. He presents a vertical option for Mendoza, but needs to improve his play strength to be a true 50/50 guy. A two-year starter at NC State, Cleveland was an interchangeable one-/three-technique in defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot’s multiple fronts. He packed on weight after enrolling in Raleigh and moved down the defensive line, closer to the football. He didn’t pad the stat sheet as a junior or senior, but his talent and tape are more forgiving. Cleveland is a hard-hat lineman content with doing the dirty work in the middle of the trenches. He is a stout run defender who can bend and hold his ground. Though he doesn’t have the feet or length for quick wins (just 13 pressures in 2025), his hand use helps him clear block engagement to create congestion up the gut. Las Vegas needed a space-eater up front, and Cleveland is exactly that as a big, run-stopping 1-/3-technique. There were thoughts that the Raiders would use an early pick to fill the role, but they found a prospect that fit that profile to round out their class. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms