It’s become a cliché at this point: the 2026 NFL draft starts with pick 36 for the Las Vegas Raiders. Building on that, the position the Raiders target in the second round has a domino effect on the rest of their selections, and there are plenty of avenues the club could go down. Las Vegas could go with a “best player available” approach or target a need at wide receiver, free safety or nose tackle.
To get an idea of how each strategy can impact the rest of the Silver and Black’s picks, let’s run
a four-round mock draft for both philosophies, including one for each of the three positions above (four mocks in total), using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft simulator and consensus big board. There will be a poll at the bottom where you can vote on which haul you like the best, and sound off in the comments section with your thoughts!
Best Player Available
- QB Fernando Menodza, Indiana (No. 1 overall)
- CB Colton Hood, Tennessee (No. 36)
- DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (No. 67)
- WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss (No. 102)
- TE Oscar Delp, Georgia (No. 117)
- DT Kaleb Proctor, SE Louisiana (No. 134)
After re-signing Eric Stokes in free agency and with 2025 third-round pick Darien Porter returning, Hood wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting spot right away as a rookie. However, the Raiders held several top 30 visits with cornerbacks, including the Tennessee product, so don’t be surprised if John Spytek goes this route in a “BPA” approach to the second round.
This draft shapes up pretty well for the Silver and Black’s defense, nabbing a starting nose tackle in Hunter after adding some depth to the cornerback room. The Texas Tech product was also a great value pick, ranking 49th on the big board and as the top player availabe at 67. Then, the Raiders shifted to the other side of the ball, picking up a potential X-receiver for Mendoza in the 6-foot-2, 207-pound former Rebel.
While tight end isn’t a pressing need, Michael Mayer is entering a contract year and Klint Kubiak is a big proponent of 12 personnel. So, reuniting Georgia’s 2023 tight end duo in Las Vegas with Brock Bowers and Delp could be on the table in the middle of round four. To wrap up, it was a pivot back to the defensive line, where Proctor can contribute as a 4i-technique defensive end and provide some interior pass-rush help.
The remaining question mark here is at free safety.
Nose Tackle
- QB Fernando Menodza, Indiana
- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
- RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
- OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
- DT Chris McClellan, Missouri
McDonald ranks 26th overall on the consensus big board and was the highest-ranked player during this simulation, so this was a situation where the best player available in the second round also fills a need. In the third round, Las Vegas native/former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was also considered, but the connection between Mendoza and Sarratt ended up being the deciding factor.
The hope was that a free safety would be available at 102, but there was a run at the position in the middle of the third round, leading to the pivot toward finding an RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. Then, the Raiders ended up getting an offensive tackle who could compete for the starting spot on the right side and potentially be a long-term replacement for Kolton Miller in Bowry. Finally, the last pick was a double-dip on the defensive line and a matter of getting good value, as McClellan ranks 119th overall.
For the second time in a row, the biggest hole on the roster remaining here is at free safety. Gambling and hoping that a potential starter would be left on the board in the fourth round ended up being a bust.
Wide Receiver
- QB Fernando Menodza, Indiana
- WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
- DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- RB Mike Washington, Arkansas
- CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
- LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
For the record, Louisville’s Chris Bell was also considered here. Bernard just ranks a little higher on the consensus big board, is a more natural fit in Kubiak’s offense, and is healthy to get the nod. But either receiver is a strong option in this scenario.
This was the second draft where Hunter was available at 67, a good sign for the Raiders’ ability to fill the need at nose tackle outside of the top 50 picks. Then, it was a rare find where Washington was available at the top of Day 3, giving the Raiders a good value option to run behind Jeanty. Speaking of depth, Everette’s technique and consistency need work, but a 9.89 RAS is certainly worth working with as a fourth-round pick. Along the same lines, Elarms-Orr stood out with his NFL Combine performance (9.33 RAS) to serve as a coverage linebacker.
Again, finding a safety that makes sense from a value standpoint is proving to be a chore. In other words, the Raiders might have to be bold and reach for one at the top of the second or third rounds, or trade back and hope someone falls into their lap.
Free Safety
- QB Fernando Menodza, Indiana
- S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
- DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
- WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
- RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Haulcy would be a reach at 36, as his value seems to be in the 50s. But there are no trades in this exercise, and he’d at least add a ball hawk to Las Vegas’ secondary with eight interceptions over the last two seasons. Then, the defense got its starting nose tackle via Orange in the third round, which seems to be a good range to target the position. For the record, Hunter was available again. The pivot Orange was just to mix up the mock drafts.
This draft was heavy on the defensive players, landing Rivers at the top of the fourth round. That gives the defensive backfield someone with a lot of experience playing on the outside and could contribute/compete at nickel as well. As a result, the next fourth-round picks had to be pivots to fill needs on the other side of the ball, landing Stribling for the second time and Allen as the RB2 option.
The slideshow above provides a summary of each four-round mock draft in the following order: nose tackle, BPA, wide receiver and free safety. Make sure to vote for which haul you’d like the Raiders to walk away with and explain your thoughts in the comments section.
