The Las Vegas Raiders are starting to enter the next phase of their development plan as they try to build the foundation for success moving forward.
After making several big splashes in the early part of free agency, general manager John Spytek has been a bit more methodical over the last week as he looks to fill a few more needs.
He also knows the draft is right around the corner and the Raiders have plenty of capital to help jumpstart the rebuild.
Here is a look at one of many ways things could play out with the 10 picks at their disposal just more than a month from now.
This seven-round Raiders mock draft was done using the Pro Football Focus draft simulator with the Review-Journal making the selection each time the Raiders were on the clock. The rest of the 31 teams were simulated by the program with the randomness factor set on low.
Round 1, Pick 1 (No. 1 overall)
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Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
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Not a whole lot of mystery here. The Raiders are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, and the national champion is the best one available this year in a relatively weak class. This is an almost certainty.
Round 2, Pick 4 (No. 36 overall)
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Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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This is where the draft will start to get interesting for the Raiders, especially since they had to ship the No. 14 pick back to the Ravens after the Maxx Crosby trade debacle. Hood could end up being an excellent player for the Raiders, especially if Rob Leonard employs a scheme similar to Brian Flores as expected. Hood can really frustrate receivers at the line of scrimmage and has the speed necessary to stay with them once they do get out into the route. He also has a knack for making big plays.
Round 3, Pick 3 (No. 67 overall)
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Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
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There are certainly some limitations to his game, especially as a pass rusher. But Orange is a space eater over the ball and projects as a run stopper. He will probably be a two-down player, especially early in his career. It’s a nose tackle role the Raiders probably still need some help filling, though.
Round 4, Pick 2 (No. 102 overall)
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Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
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The biggest need in the receiving corps is a big, physical X-receiver on the outside. Fields would address that. What he lacks in top-end speed, he more than makes up for in physicality and an exceptional ability to just go get the ball in contested situations. He would be a great complement to Brock Bowers and all the speed on the outside.
Round 4, Pick 17 (No. 117 overall)
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Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
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He’s probably not an ideal scheme fit and there are some limitations to his game attributable mostly to his arm length. But Casey has just been a very good player at the college level and there is something to be said about production at this point in the draft. It doesn’t hurt that he was the best lineman on the field when Ashton Jeanty was setting records at Boise State and he maintains a close relationship with the Raiders running back. Casey could be moved to guard at some point, so he would also provide position flexibility.
Round 4, Pick 34 (No. 134 overall)
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Kaytron Allen, HB, Penn State
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The Raiders are still looking for a complementary back to Jeanty, a role new coach Klint Kubiak talked about being an important one after he was hired. Allen could be an option. He’s especially effective on first and second down and projects as a valuable weapon in short yardage. That could certainly help take some of the burden off Jeanty in situations that tend to accelerate wear and tear.
Round 5, Pick 35 (No. 175 overall)
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Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan
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The Raiders have 10 picks in this draft, which gives them a bit of leeway to take some chances on projects and Tucker could be a fun one. He’s a bit of a one-year wonder as he’s coming off a wildly productive season that followed three years of being a rotational piece at Houston. There’s a reason for that, however. Tucker was a basketball player his entire life and never put on a helmet until his senior year of high school. His film is fun. Tucker’s past life as a hooper is obvious immediately in his smooth athleticism. He still has a ton to learn, especially in the run game. His pass rush arsenal also needs refinement. But there is a lot to like a third-down specialist early in his career.
Round 6, Pick 4 (No. 185 overall)
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Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
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Another player who made a big transition in college, though his was just a new side of the ball. Fitzgerald was a solid high school quarterback who moved to defense at the next level. His past really shows up in his ability to understand what offenses and opposing quarterbacks are trying to do in the passing game. Fitzgerald does not possess elite athleticism, however, which is probably a big reason why he might still be available at this point. He needs a lot of work in the run game, as well.
Round 6, Pick 27 (No. 208 overall)
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Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
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He is an outstanding scheme fit and lauded for his intelligence and understanding of his offensive system and play concepts. Brailsford would be a phenomenal understudy to Tyler Linderbaum and could potentially find a spot at guard to help bolster the offensive line. The biggest concern for now are the penalties.
Round 7, Pick 3 (No. 219 overall)
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Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
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The Raiders moved on from Daniel Carlson, the second-leading scorer in franchise history, to sign the inconsistent Matt Gay. That can’t be the plan. Zvada is an interesting case because after a spectacular 2024 season, he looked like a lock to be drafted. He maintained his elite level on long kicks in 2025, but struggled with some inconsistencies at shorter distances. Still, his leg strength and tremendous accuracy from 50-plus should put him in the league.
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