Full Breakdown
Raiders' 2026 Draft Class: A Deep Dive
4/29/2026, 4:34:19 AM
Draft Overview
The Las Vegas Raiders selected ten players in the 2026 NFL Draft. The first-overall pick was quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Indiana). Subsequent picks included safety Treydan Stukes (38, Arizona), edge rusher Keyron Crawford (67, Auburn), interior lineman Trey Zuhn III (91, Texas A&M), cornerback Jermod McCoy (101, Tennessee), running back Mike Washington Jr. (122, Arkansas), cornerback Hezekiah Masses (175, California), wide receiver Malik Benson (195, Oregon) and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland (229, NC State).
Key Selections & Rationale
Mendoza was viewed as a franchise quarterback. Stukes’s speed and coverage versatility, Crawford’s sack production for the 3-4 defense, and Zuhn’s interior-line depth addressed immediate needs. McCoy, a former top-10 prospect, slipped to the fourth round due to a torn ACL but retained high upside; Washington Jr.’s 4.3-second 40-yard dash at 225 lb gives him a change-of-pace role alongside Ashton Jeanty, while Masses and Benson add speed and coverage depth.
Analyst Grades
CBS Sports gave six straight “A” grades; NFL.com, EasySportz and Sports Illustrated also gave top marks, with SI calling it possibly the league’s best class.
Official Statements
GM John Spytek said the draft was meant to “address depth and add high-upside talent across the roster,” and scouting director Brandon Yeargan praised Washington Jr.’s size, speed and character.
Criticism & Concerns
Mel Kiper questioned the wide-receiver depth and warned McCoy’s ACL could have justified a first-round pick; some observers noted Mendoza might sit behind veteran Kirk Cousins.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
NFL.com reported McCoy “appeared just as strong and quick as before his injury,” while CBS Sports called the pick a “risk” due to lingering knee concerns; grades range from “A+” (EasySportz) to “A” (CBS, NFL.com).
Verbatim Quotes
- “No team besides the Raiders had five of my top 100 players. As a matter of fact, they drafted six of my top 109. Trey Zuhn, who they took at the very end of the third, I think it was like 97th overall, was player 109 on my board. So Fernando Mendoza, that was the obvious, we all know they were going, we knew they were going to go that direction. But beyond that, the Raiders just kept chipping away.” — Field Yates, ESPN Analyst
- “But there was a point at which the risk of Jermod McCoy’s knee health was outweighed by the reward of Jermod McCoy’s football skill.” — Field Yates, ESPN Analyst
- “3, ran for over 1,000 yards this year, super productive, high character.” — Brandon Yeargan, Director of College Scouting, Las Vegas Raiders
- “bargain cover corner if his knee holds up,” — Chad Reuter, NFL.com Senior Analyst
What’s Next
The Raiders will review McCoy’s knee, may schedule surgery before training camp, and rookie contracts for Mendoza, Stukes, Crawford and Washington Jr. begin in May; workouts will decide if Mendoza competes for the starting quarterback role or remains behind Cousins, while the secondary could see early contributions from McCoy and Masses if healthy.
