2026 NFL draft: Analysis, grading Raiders’ Day 2 picks

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2026 NFL draft: Analysis, grading Raiders’ Day 2 picks

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Treydan Stukes #2 of the Arizona Wildcats intercepts a pass intended for Kole Wilson #2 of the Baylor Bears during the second half of the NCAAF game at Casino Del Sol Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona, Image 2 shows Auburn defensive end Keyron Crawford runs drills during the school's NFL Pro Day, Image 3 shows Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn at the NFL Scouting Combine

Vincent Bonsignore · NY Post Sports

Fri, Apr 24, 2026 ·

3 min read

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PITTSBURGH — The Raiders did some immediate maneuvering on day two of the NFL draft . Doing so enabled them to pick up an extra third-round pick while sliding down two spots in the second round, from No. 36 to 38.

With that pick, they reeled in a safety, Arizona's Treydan Stukes , who could push for a starting job as a rookie.

Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes intercepts a pass in the end zone against Baylor on Nov. 22, 2025.Getty Images Getty Images

The speedy (4.33 40) 6-foot 190-pounder had 52 tackles, four interceptions, and six pass breakups last year for the Wildcats.

The Raiders are expected to utilize plenty of three-safety formations, not Stukes could get on the field early.

Grade: C

Stukes was a draft-board riser over the last phase of the evaluation process, but this feels a bit high for him.

Auburn defensive end Keyron Crawford runs drills during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) AP

The Raiders have added a raw, high-upside edge rusher.

With the 67th pick overall in the third round, they selected Auburn pass rusher Keyron Crawford . The 6-foot-4, 253-pounder, who only began playing football during his senior year in high school, had 36 tackles, including 9.5 behind the line of scrimmage, and five sacks last year.

The Raiders will plug him into a defensive end rotation that includes Maxx Crosby , Tyree Wilson , Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce . With Wilson and Koonce under contract for just one more season, Crawford could become an important piece in the future.

Grade: B

Crawford has a lot of work, but the Raiders can afford to be patient, hoping for a big payoff through time and development.

Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders closed day two of the NFL draft by beefing up their offensive line.

With the 91st pick overall in the third round, they selected Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn.

The four-year starter primarily played tackle, with some center mixed it, but Zuhn is expected to move to guard.

The Raiders won't rule anything out with Zuhn, but lacks the ideal arm length and height to be a tackle. With athletic traits, including great footwork, he looks better suited to play guard, where he will compete with Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers for playing time.

Grade: B-

Zuhn is a solid prospect, but the Raiders came into Friday needing to add to their wide receiver room and never got around to it. Also, they need to bring in more competition at right tackle, and Zuhn does not appear to be a match at that position.

What they're saying

"I think having the speed, range, and processing ability to get to cover ground on the field.There are a lot of good quarterbacks and a lot of fast receivers, and they want those shot plays, and those are the plays that you've got to make if you want to win football games. And I think I'll be able to come in and help the team defend those type of shot plays and make plays on the football when I get a chance." – New Raiders safety Treydan Stukes

What's next

The Raiders will be extremely busy on Saturday with six more picks in play. They include two selections in the fourth and sixth rounds.

Among the best players still on the board are Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy , Connecticut wide receiver Skyler Bell , and Texas A&M tackle Dametrious Crownover .

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