The first round of the 2026 NFL draft is over, and it was pretty boring for the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s been known for months that the Raiders were going to take former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, and the organization stayed away from one of its infamous draft day surprises. Now, the draft really starts for Las Vegas.
The draft board has fallen pretty favorably for the Silver and Black, with a handful of players somewhat surprisingly falling to the second round. Let’s
take a look at their 10 best options for pick 36, listed in no particular order.
WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Raiders hosted Boston for a top-30 visit and could use some help at wide receiver. Building on the latter, the position group doesn’t have a true X-receiver, and the 6-foot-4, 212-pound wideout fits that physical profile well. There was a lot of speculation that the former Husky could get snatched up toward the end of round one, so Las Vegas would be getting good value in him at 36.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.” — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
If you’ve been following me over the last few months, you know this was the scenario I was hoping for heading into the draft. It’s another situation where need meets value, as McDonald can fill the void at nose tackle and was viewed as a late-20s to early-30s type of prospect. The concerns about the former Buckeye’s ability to contribute as a pass-rusher are valid, but he has the athleticism to grow in that area, and no one in College Football was better at stuffing runs than he was last season.
“While Kayden McDonald’s technique is a work in progress, he displays a unique ability to get himself out of bad positions and dominate against the run thanks to his rare combination of size (6’2″, 326 lbs), strength and athleticism. Also, his fundamentals have improved down the stretch of this past season.” — Bleacher Report
S Emmanuel McNeill-Warren
McNeil-Warren also received plenty of first-round buzz heading into the draft, making it somewhat surprising that he’s still available. The former Rocket is more of a strong safety who can rotate to the backend of the defense in two-high coverages than a true free safety, making him a similar player to Jeremy Chinn. However, Chinn is entering a contract year, and if Rob Leonard plans to use a lot of two-high looks, then drafting McNeil-Warren would make a lot of sense.
“Something must be in Toledo’s water, because the Rockets have another hard-hitting, multi-talented defensive back who is going to make an NFL impact in Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The safety is a physical tone-setter, who understands how to put his stamp on a football game…McNeil-Warren projects as a havoc-causing box safety who provides coverage versatility from a split-zone look. [He] will fill a multitude of roles.” — B/R’s Daniel Harms
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Cornerback, especially someone who primarily lines up on the outside, would be more of a luxury pick with Darien Porter returning for year two and Eric Stokes re-signing during free agency. But McCoy is a first-round talent that could be too good to pass up, assuming his medicals check out. The Tennessee product sat out all of last season with a torn ACL and may need another surgery to fix a different part of his knee, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“Jermod McCoy has the best tape of any cornerback in the 2026 NFL draft class. McCoy is explosive, twitchy, physical and can do anything asked of him in the secondary. His combination of suffocating man coverage and instinctual zone ability is impressive. Missing the 2025 season due to a torn ACL hurt his development arc, as he played only two seasons.” — Harms
DT Christen Miller, Georgia
In my opinion, McDonald is the Raiders’ best option if they’re looking to get a nose tackle. But if he gets taken ahead of 36, Miller is a solid second option to land on. The former Bulldog is also a gap filler against the run and has some athletic ability to work with and develop as a pass-rusher. In a perfect world, Las Vegas could trade back and still get him. But that’s risky and might be more wishful thinking.
“Miller’s greatest asset is his run defense. He is a solid anchor — quick to press his hands into blockers, disciplined about maintaining gap integrity, and stout enough to hold the point of attack against double teams that would cave lesser prospects — but he’s not dominant.” — Acme Packing Company’s Rich Madrid
EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Edge would be another luxury pick with Maxx Crosby still on the roster, on top of re-signing Malcolm Koonce and bringing in Kwity Paye during free agency. That being said, Crosby’s future in Vegas is murky, Koonce is more of a designated pass-rusher, while Paye can set the edge but leaves something to be desired against the passing game. Meanwhile, Parker has the potential to be a complete edge defender, showing the power to take on blocks in the running game and collapse the pocket.
“Parker’s length and physicality will translate beautifully to the NFL game. He might never become an elite pass rusher, but he’ll be an immediate-impact player versus the run. Don’t be surprised if he emerges as a Rashaun Gary type, a player who failed to live up to his physical traits in college but unlocked his considerable tools in the NFL. Bradley Chubb is another glass-half-full comp, but Chubb is a more explosive athlete. Regardless, it won’t be the least bit surprising if Parker is more impactful in the NFL than he was in college.” — The Ringer’s Todd McShay
EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
If the Raiders are looking for an edge-rusher who is a better fit in odd fronts, Howell would be a great option. He profiles well as a standup outside linebacker and has the speed and finesse moves to beat offensive tackles around the edge. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year is coming off an 11.5-sack campaign. However, the former Aggie is available because he has short arms, and questions have arisen about his ability to defend the run.
“Bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter. Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential. As a run defender he’s frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter. Howell might not be a three-down player right away, but his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum.” — Zierlein
CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
The second Tennessee cornerback listed here, Hood is another prospect who had some first-round buzz heading into the draft. So, this is another player whom Las Vegas could get good value for in the second round, even if the position isn’t much of a need.
“He’s still learning to play with more patience and discipline, but he possesses clear early-round ability, with his coverage mobility as the foundation. Hood can stick to WRs in press-man, as well as suddenly redirect and explode through breaks in off-man and zone. His playmaking ability is stamped at the catch point, and he’s a consistent tackler in support as well.” — Pro Football Network
CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Again, more of a luxury pick, but a chance for the Raiders to get a first-round talent in the second. Terrell does have a hamstring injury to keep tabs on and is undersized, but he’s an excellent zone corner who could potentially contribute at nickel.
“Texans 2024 second-round pick Kamari Lassiter has overcome shorter arms (30 7/8 inches) and average size (5 feet, 11 1/2 inches and 186 pounds) to develop into one of the best corners in the league. Like Lassiter, Terrell is instinctive and aggressive enough to develop into a starter on the outside, but he may ultimately be a better fit on the inside, at least early in his career.” — McShay
G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
It feels like the new regime is willing to chalk up last year’s offensive line issues on the previous coaching staff (*cough* Brennan Carroll *cough*), and there isn’t a glaring need on the interior after bringing in Tyler Linderaum. Between Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Jordan Meredith and Spencer Burford, Las Vegas should already have two starting guards on the roster. That being said, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add one more player to the mix, and Pregnon is the front office’s best option.
“Emmanuel Pregnon is a stout, people-moving guard with thick limbs, huge hands and a nasty demeanor, but his wide base can leave him late and stranded against movement across his face. Still, his size, experience, and play strength project him as an early starter — and if he tightens his footwork to improve sustain and recovery, he has a path to becoming an above-average starter.” — B/R’s Brandon Thorn
