On the surface, the Baltimore Ravens’ last-minute decision to bail on the Maxx Crosby trade felt like a disaster for the Las Vegas Raiders.
From a draft standpoint, however, that’s not true. The Crosby trade would’ve given the Raiders a chance to put a jetpack on their current rebuild, but even if they don’t move Crosby ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders still have one of the league’s most well-stocked draft arsenals.
Along with the chance to take a franchise quarterback at No. 1, the Raiders currently hold six picks in the first four rounds (including four in the top 102) and 10 selections overall. Outside of QB, Las Vegas needs help at receiver, offensive line (guard and tackle), cornerback (and probably safety) and defensive tackle. It could also use better depth nearly everywhere else.
Below, we run through three different mock draft scenarios for how the Raiders could spend their top six picks this draft. (Those scenarios do not include one in which the Raiders trade the No. 1 pick, as that doesn’t seem likely at the moment.)
Scenario A: Pick straight through
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
36. Germie Bernard, WR, Indiana
67. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
102. Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
117. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
134. Beau Stephens, IOL, Iowa
The Raiders need help everywhere. However, if we’re assuming Mendoza is a lock at No. 1, then finding ways to protect and make him comfortable should be the next priority.
I’ve loved the fit between a Mendoza-led Raiders offense and Bernard for a while now. Bernard is one of the most quarterback-friendly receivers in the 2026 draft class and would help provide an immediate safety net to develop alongside Mendoza. The Alabama pass catcher is a savvy, quick and dependable route runner who would complement Brock Bowers very well.
If the Raiders still had Baltimore’s first-round pick, they’d be able to solve their quarterback, tackle and wide receiver needs with their first three selections in this draft. As it stands, I’m not sure that’ll be possible without more movement. In this scenario, the Raiders select Florida OT Austin Barber at No. 67 — which might be a slight reach. Barber is probably a top-100 prospect, but I’m not sure it’s a lock. He’s an outstanding run blocker who was overly inconsistent in pass protection throughout his college career.
However, this illustrates the ’26 draft’s tackle situation — if you don’t get one of the top seven prospects at that position (and they all might be gone in the first round), you might be better off waiting for Round 3.
Either way, the Raiders still have enough 2026 draft ammunition to address their main needs in six picks. The question is whether or not they’ve landed six starters here. Mendoza and Bernard are no-doubters; Barber might be a starter; Benny, Davis and Stephens are good enough to compete for a job in year one, but none would have a guaranteed path.
Scenario B: Trade back up into the first
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
25. (from Chicago)*: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
67. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
117. Micah Morris, IOL, Georgia
134. Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
* (Raiders trade Nos. 36 and 102 plus a future third-round pick to the Bears for No. 25)
Part of why the Crosby trade felt so great for the Raiders was that it (would have) added so much extra draft capital, but they’re in good shape nonetheless. If they want to move up for more premium talent, they can — and it shouldn’t be that painful.
By finding a way to get into the 20s, the Raiders would have a much better chance at landing one of those top tackles, be it Iheanachor, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Utah’s Caleb Lomu or Clemson’s Blake Miller. Iheanachor is still rough around the edges, but I’ll bet on his developmental track and athletic profile helping him navigate into the starting lineup by midseason, if not earlier.
The Raiders added at least four starters in this scenario, and they didn’t have to reach on a tackle early in Round 3. The receiver class is deeper — Hurst is one of the best athletes in the draft, has serious big-play potential and is ready to compete. I also like trying to find a guard somewhere near the bottom of Round 3 or Round 4. Morris might be a steal at 117. He’s a legit run blocker who could compete for a job in year one.
I’d say the same about Charles Demmings in the secondary. He has elite speed and one of the best attitude-mindset combos of any player in the draft.
Scenario C: Trade back into third
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
36. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
67. Gennings Dunker, G/T, Iowa
69. (from Houston)*: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
134. Markel Bell, OT, Miami
(* Raiders trade Nos. 102 and 117 plus a future fourth-round pick to Houston for No. 69)
In the third scenario, the Raiders package three picks (including two of their fourth-rounders this year) to move back up into the third round, giving them four picks in the top 70. And that approach works out pretty well.
With three selections between Nos. 36 and 69, they’d definitely have a chance to find a starting guard, receiver and cornerback, if they choose to target those positions. Cisse, San Diego State’s Chris Johnson or Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds would be great corner options at No. 36.
I love adding Dunker here at No. 67. Dunker, the owner of everyone’s favorite mullet, is a college tackle who probably will be a better fit at guard in the NFL. Still, he’s tough enough to do anything you need him to. Finding a way to get a player like that on the roster — a competitive hammer who loves to work — should be a top priority for the Raiders the rest of this offseason.
Other receiver options in the third round could be Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt, Mississippi State’s Brenen Thompson or North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance.