2026 NFL Draft Recap: Raiders and Browns Secure Key Picks
2026 NFL Draft: The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza, while the Browns focused on offensive talents. Bill Bender joins to reflect on this year's draft.
Video Transcript
But Bill, what, what did you make of, of the draft this past year?
I mean, I, I thought it la- it lacked a little bit of sizzle, to be honest with you.
But I think in the end, some teams definitely got better and some teams, we were scratching our heads a little bit, I think.
I would agree.
You know, like, at next year's draft we always say that, "Next year is gonna be amazing."
But- It does, yeah this year lacked a lot of that.
I, I do I will say this, though, the Las Vegas Raiders got their franchise quarterback with Fernando Mendoza.
They take Treyden Stokes, safety out of Arizona, that some people thought was a first-round pick.
I thought they made picks after picks that were smart.
So maybe a- after years of kind of just being this mediocre to bad to poor franchise, that they are making the right moves with Clint Kubiak and, John Spytek to be a successful franchise in the AFC West, and I think it really does start with Fernando.
I mean, if you'd have tell, tell anybody two years ago, "Hey, that you're gonna get Fernando Mendoza, Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers," that's a nice set of playmakers to have on the offensive side of the ball.
We'll see if they can put together, but they had a nice draft.
Yeah, definitely so.
you also liked the Browns draft and, and I understand for good reason.
I mean, the number one key was obviously getting, you know, somebody to block up front.
You know, quarterbacking's still gonna be a question for them, but damn, some weapons came in, right?
Concepcion and Boston immediately become the two best wide receivers, I would guess, in Cleveland.
Nothing against Tillman or some of the other guys that they've had, but you know, I mean, these two draft- drafted players are a bona fide number-one wide outs for their teams in Texas A&M and Washington.
Playmakers.
A- and Concepcion adds some things in the return game.
What I was impressed with with Cleveland was they didn't panic when Carnell Tate was selected fourth.
You know, in past years they may have made a, a rash move.
Instead, what did they do?
They trade down, they take Spencer Fano, who is one of the safest picks in the draft, a tackle that didn't allow a sack last season.
Then you get the two receivers a- and even into day three where they get Parker Brailsford, a center from Alabama who played at Washington, who could be They got guys that could be starters for first year Todd Monken.
And I think, you know, Craig, I do this every year, and you point to the Ravens and you say, "The Ravens were great."
But guys that played and coached for the Ravens and coached for Harbaugh, you know, John Harbaugh had a good draft with the Giants.
Jesse Minter had a good jet- dra- draft with the Ravens.
Todd Monken has a good draft with the Browns.
These guys know what they're doing and it's, you could call it safe, boring, whatever, but a effective draft for the Cleveland Browns.
