Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, biggest needs, best fit and trade predictions
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Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, biggest needs, best fit and trade predictions
Tyler Dragon and Jack McKessy, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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2 min read
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The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live fromPittsburghon Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For theLas Vegas Raiders, the biggest need is an obvious one: Quarterback.
TheRaiders' No. 1 selection of Fernando Mendoza is pretty much signed, sealed and delivered. Mendoza is an accurate passer and throws with impressive precision. He also displayed leadership skills in college that will make the Raiders comfortable in their investment of him.
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Las VegassignedKirk Cousinsto be a bridge quarterback and mentor to the Heisman Trophy winner, more than his recent on-field success: Cousins finished tied for the most turnovers in the NFL in 2024, but he's familiar with Klint Kubiak from their three years together inMinnesota.
Here's everything you need to know about theLas Vegas Raidersfor this year's draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster.
Las Vegas Raiders NFL draft best prospect fit: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Per USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly:
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This one is a pretty direct mix of need and fit. The Raiders need a quarterback more than almost any other team in the league and Mendoza is the best fit possible. He'll start a new chapter for the team at the most important position and give Klint Kubiak a good quarterback to begin his head coaching career with.
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
1/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
1/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
2/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
3/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
4/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
5/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
6/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
7/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
8/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
9/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
10/10
The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft
New York Jets
Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders NFL draft trade candidate: EdgeMaxx Crosby
Per USA TODAY's Jack McKessy:
Obviously. The Raiders already attempted to trade Crosby in a now-infamous transaction with the Baltimore Ravens that Baltimore nixed with medical concerns. If Las Vegas can find another trade partner for Crosby that would offer a similar package, it would have to listen, despite Crosby's seeming desire to stay. The Raiders could really use the extra picks to continue building up the roster around (presumed) incoming quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
