2026 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas Raiders go quarterback

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Fernando Mendoza #QB11 of Indiana poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Last year, the Raiders tried to take the stalest parts of the early 2020s Seahawks and recreate that milquetoast magic in Las Vegas. Like a Cirque du Soleil show acted out by the elderly in hospice, it performed worse than expected.

Current GM and possibly sentient A. I. John Spytek pushed a full reset by firing Pete Carroll, jettisoning starting QB Geno Smith, and attempting to trade star DE Maxx Crosby.

Spytek has two goals this offseason: fix this offense and send robots back in time to kill Sarah Connor. He took a huge stride toward accomplishing his first goal with the hiring of Super Bowl champion Klint Kubiak. With so many holes on the roster, who should the Raiders draft?

There are some potential stars on offense in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, but the offensive line, wide receiver corps, and—most importantly—the QB room all have significant needs. Signing Tyler Linderbaum is a step in the right direction, and teaming him up with Charles Grant and Kolton Miller should help the offensive line improve, but they still need guards and tackle depth. Jalen Nailor was signed in free agency, and he could be exciting in Klint Kubiak’s offense, but after him, the wide receiver room has the talent equivalent of Mark Davis’s barber.