The Raiders sit 2-7, the season is pretty much over in terms of having any shot at making the playoffs (not that much of one existed). Unfortunately, for what seems like the yearly ritual at this point
the focus for Raiders fans should be on the off-season and where could the Raiders end up getting better. There’s speculation if Pete Carroll will return in 2026, and that will be solved after this season. Additionally, fans have not seemed pleased with GM John Spytek though I urge a little patience with the transition for first times general managers usually not being the nicest on them. With that, my mailbag surrounding the 2026 NFL Off-season and draft. Please fell free to comment your questions in the comments and I will get to those in a future slate, additionally follow on twitter (KuhnTristen) and I will be posting more question banks as the cycle goes on!
Q: Doesn’t seem like any of the top QB Prospects are coming out this year, other than Mendoza. What is the Raiders plan if they don’t declare?
Fernando Mendoza is pretty much a lock to declare and I would assume with a really good chance that Alabama’s Ty Simpson also declares. Reports the past couple days indicate that Dante Moore is likely to return and that could cause a lot of concerns for the Raiders. Outside of Mendoza/Simpson, I am a fan of Cincinnati’s Brennan Sorsby, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, and North Dakota State’s Cole Payton though I think all 3 need a season of sitting and learning before they can be impact players at quarterback. Sorsby does provide a lot of traits that teams are going to like and I think if he declares he should end up getting a top 40 selection. If the Raiders can’t go with a QB this season, I think it’s realistic you either keep Geno Smith and hope a new OC can help fix some issues or look to target a veteran free agent again ideally similar to Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold. Options could be Mac Jones (who has looked very good for SF in his time), Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, Mithcell Trubisky, but do those really spark much confidence for you.
The 2027 draft class in terms of QB does look to be near generational and things can change but there’s also a reason teams like the Jets are opting for a 2027 1st over a 2026 1st (FWIW I don’t think they take a QB in 2026). Dante Moore, CJ Carr, Dylan Raiola, LaNorris Sellers, CJ Bailey, DJ Lagway, Julian Sayin, Arch Manning, Demond Williams Jr, and Darien Mensah among others headline the class and all have the potential to be first round selections come May 2027.
Q: Favorite Picks for the Raiders if they hypothetically pick in the top 10? My choice would either be Mauioga, Fano, or Caleb Downs
Ideally the option is able to be one of Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson but at the moment I don’t think the Raiders are going to be able to be in a spot to take a quarterback round 1 as unfortunate as that is. I am personally not a huge fan of Franciso Mauioga or Kadyn Proctor with this tackle class for various reasons mainly focusing on their athletic traits and lateral movement abilities. Mauioga and Utah’s Spencer Fano do already have a feel at RT which would work well for the Raiders and Fano is a top prospect of mine in the class. Despite that, the Raiders did select Charles Grant in the 3rd round of 2025 and DJ Glaze has been an above average starter at RT though highly inconsistent as well. If the Raiders are inside the top 10, my immediate thought would go towards Clemson’s Peter Woods (DT) and TJ Parker (EDGE) along with Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese to shore up the DL and add juice to the pass rush. Beyond them, Caleb Downs does make sense but it’s tough taking a box safety inside the top 10, nonetheless likely the top 6. I expect that Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell will also rise quickly despite his 6’2/250 frame and could be an option for the Raiders.
Q: It’s clear that we have needs all over the offense/defense, based on the drafts strengths what would you say we must address first?
The class features most of it’s strength at the WR, EDGE, IDL, CB, and ILB positions which is a good thing for the Raiders given they have plenty of needs their. The class is also fairly strong at T/G and S though not as close to it’s talent in terms of the others with QB, RB, and C following up as the weaker links of the class despite some top heavy talent. Free agency is likely to dictate the move in the draft regardless, if you’re in a spot to take Mendoza or Simpson, and Moore if he declares then that’s your easy no brainer selection to address a possible QB of the future. Assuming that isn’t an option then the target has to turn to Spencer Fano or one of the pass rushers I listed above to help the Raiders defensive line that has not seen a year that is to their standards.
Q: What do you think of Darian Mensah? Which QBs actually could declare?
I like Duke’s Darian Mensah a lot, he showcases an advanced feel in the pocket along with some strong arm talent that has the ability to hit nearly any throw. Mensah looked phenomenal at Tulane and in spots this season at Duke, though he’s also continued to struggle on his mechanics and accuracy which can be downsides. With a strong end to the year, I think Mensah could surprise and declare opting to head to the NFL and get development there instead of risking it with a loaded 2027 class that likely already features 4 surefire first round picks (Carr, Raiola, Moore, and Bailey among others). Mensah would immediately slot in as a first round pick for me and one that would require some patience and development. In terms of other quarterbacks I do see Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson both declaring and my biggest question marks come with Brennan Sorsby and John Mateer both who need time but like Mensah could look to avoid the issues of the 2027 class.
Q: Bigger need going into the draft? OL or QB and is it dependent on free agency?
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said it best when describing quarterbacks stating that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail the organization and that is no more true for any franchise then the Vikings who revived both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in one season. The Raiders right now do not have the support system for a young quarterback to be successful, and that starts with coaching down to an inconsistent OL which leads to poor run games and the receivers also struggling as well. The Raiders need to revamp a portion of their roster before adding a young quarterback into the fold and the goal should be setting them up for success longterm. That’s not saying the Raiders shouldn’t draft a QB if one is available but that QB may not need to see the field immediately instead of developing, learning, and finally getting his chance behind a better system around him. At the moment I would say that QB is a bigger need, but no rookie should be asked to play in this current iteration of the Raiders.
Q: Who are your top 5 QB Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
Not including some guys such as Moore, Mensah, and Sellers it would likely stack up as Menodza/Simpson (1A/1B), Brennan Sorsby, Cole Payton, and John Mateer with Cade Klubnik & Drew Allar just behind them. Including the three I mentioned earlier it would look a little different with Mendoza/Simpson, Moore*, Sellers*, Mensah*. Some names that could rise for me this cycle with continued looks and good showings include Penn State’s Drew Allar who does possess a load of talent and hasn’t developed once at Penn State, though the NFL may be able to help but it’s a big ask. Others include TCU’s Josh Hoover and Tennesse’s Joey Aguilar but both also need a lot of work among the other quarterbacks in the class.
Q: What are your top 3 center prospects and ideal rounds to draft them?
The center class is not strong this year, top prospect Connor Lew suffered a torn ACl and that will bump him down a decent bit but he remains my top center prospect at the moment. I do want to see where a couple of the guards such as Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge end up participating during all star games and combine drills to get looks at other options that could be an impact there too and some players may change my rankings drastically. For now, I would say that my rankings line up as Auburn’s Connor Lew (Mid R2 but ACL concern), Iowa’s Logan James (late round 2), and Alabama’s Parker Brailsford (early round 3). I can see a world where James/Brailsford climb more due to both having exceptional athletic abilities. Other notable names include Florida’s Jake Slaughter, who is a consensus top prospect due to raw strength and technique but his lack of athleticism does concern me, Oregon’s Iapani Laloulu, Missouri’s Connor Tollison, Indiana’s Pat Coogan, Western Michigan’s Raheem Anderson II, and an underrated target of mine Texas State’s Tellek Lockette.
Q: Could you rank the Raiders draft needs by position?
Everything is almost an accurate description, but for now I’d lean that the top priorities include literally every defensive position, quarterback, and IOL along with a kicker. The most pressing of those needs stem around free agency decisions and in house retainment but the DL is a massive weak spot this season and needs an influx of talent making it likely the top priority along with safety, cornerback, and quarterback. The linebacker core is desperate for young talent instead of veteran options and should be a focal addition point similar to the defensive tackle position (though I won’t complain for a top DT addition either). Wide receiver does need help, likely in free agency and the mid round draft and offensive tackle has a case for being a big spot to add talent too.
Q: Some round 3-4 OL and ILB targets?
Starting on the offensive line, the top center options of Parker Brailsford could be an option along with Jake Slaughter in addition to some other top names and personal favorites including Texas T Trevor Goosby, Oregon T Isaiah World, Clemson T Blake Miller, Arizona State’s T Max Iheanachor, Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon, Indiana G Carter Smith, Duke T Brian Parker II, Illinois G JC Davis, Auburn G Xavier Chaplin, and Wake Forest T Fa’alili Fa’Amoe. Some sleeper targets I haven’t already mentioned I could see rising include Boise State T/G Kage Casey, Georgia’s Earnest Greene III, Alabama G Jaeden Roberts, Indiana C Pat Coogan, App State T/G Jayden Ramsey, Penn State T Nolan Rucci, Arkansas G Fernando Carmona, and Memphis G/T Chris Adams.
At ILB it’s going to depend heavily on the pre daft process but I am a big fan of LSU’s Whit Weeks, Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, BYU’s Isaiah Glasker, Buffalo’s Red Murdock, Ole Miss’ Suntarine Perkins, Utah’s Lander Barton, and a couple sleeper options of Missouri’s Josiah Trotter, West Virginia’s Reid Carrico, Tennessee’s Arion Carter, and Indiana’s Aiden Fisher.
Q: Is there more success if they target more players who are ready to compete/play right away instead of raw developmental prospects?
Not necessarily, the issue with that route then becomes if those pro ready players have a big room for development and/or a high ceiling with their high floor. Prospects that feature high ceilings/high floors usually end up being taken inside the top 50 selections and after that you start to bank a lot more on traits, high floor players with low ceilings, or simply your low floor, high ceiling guys that are the developmental prospects. Banking on traits and trying to teach certain skill sets works at a lot of positions such as receiver, offensive and defensive line, and linebacker but you can see a struggle more often with the defensive backs and quarterback. The ideal blend is mixing in impact high floor, low ceiling prospects with your developmental players and the Raiders tried that in 2025 but other factors including player development did stunt the playtimes of guys such as JJ Pegues, Tonka Hemingway, Jack Bech mainly though snaps have started to grow recently. Long story short, instant success could be present but the down the road success for a long term winning franchise likely doesn’t happen.
Q: Anyone on the current roster you would extend again or sign to a multi year deal?
Eric Stokes jumps out as the ideal guy, he’s played a good level of coverage the entire season (not because the opposite CB has been weak), and is also growing into a strong run defender. He’s a young CB that is in a bounce back season and showing the play he can contribute when healthy which the Raiders would have to take into account. In addition, I think retaining Malcolm Koonce would be a smart idea as a rotational pass rusher and Koonce has also seen his run defense improve as of late, he’s a year off a torn ACL and that likely contributes to his down season as it does with many others. Outside of those two a case could be made for Elandon Roberts, Jamal Adams as the headliners and other depth options will likely come back as well. In my opinion, Dylan Parham fully relies on the free agent market he holds as he is a capable guard and the Raiders should try and retain him but they can get better. Additionally, Charles Snowden, Thomas Booker, Jordan Meredith, and Kyu Blu Kelly are all ERFA or RFA and will be back.
Q: If they move on from Carroll who are some notable names at HC to be searching for?
It’s early to tell if Carroll indeed is gone after this season but regressing from 2024 to 2025 and having a predicted 3-14 finish doesn’t spark a ton of confidence. There’s a world where Carroll is given another year with new coordinators and an attempt to right his ship as well, and that very well could be the case. If the Raiders decide to move off of Carroll, some options I am a fan of include Vikings OC Wes Phillips, Bucs OC Josh Grizzard, Giants OC Mike Kafka, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, and Rams OC Mike LaFleur. Other names like Vikings DC Brian Flores, Browns HC Kevin Stefanski (if fired), and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury could be options but the Raiders have tried the 2nd chance HC with Gruden, McDaniels, and now Carrol and it isn’t working.
