The Las Vegas Raiders have almost been put aside in discussions of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Everyone assumes they're picking Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, which makes analyzing their process a bit less exciting for everyone involved.
For the Raiders, though, the Mendoza pick is just the beginning. To maximize that choice, they'll have to get the picks that follow right, too.
"The best strategy with the remaining nine picks would be bolstering Mendoza's support system," ESPN's Ryan McFadden wrote in a new article on Thursday. "Even though the Raiders took two wide receivers in last year's draft (Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech), it wouldn't be surprising for them to grab another pass catcher, especially if Denzel Boston (Washington) falls to pick No. 36. Reuniting Mendoza with Elijah Sarratt (Indiana) would also be ideal, and a running back on Day 3 could be a possibility."
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The Raiders' next pick after No. 1 comes at No. 36.
"Pick No. 1 won't be a surprise, but where the Raiders go at No. 36 is a question a lot of NFL decision-makers are pondering," ESPN's Matt Miller wrote in that same article. "Based on the intel I've gathered, it'll be a pick to support Mendoza. That might be a wide receiver or a right tackle, depending on who's available. Like Ryan mentioned, Boston is a receiver who has been connected to the team."
The Raiders are already set at running back, where they have Ashton Jeanty from last year's first round, and tight end, where they have Brock Bowers from two years ago. They give a solid foundation around Mendoza already.
If Vegas can properly boost the receiving group and the offensive line for Mendoza, it will give him a chance to be successful whenever he is officially given the starting QB job for the Raiders.
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