Grading Las Vegas Raiders' first-round NFL draft picks since 2000
The Raiders hold the 2026 NFL draft's first pick, expected to be Fernando Mendoza. Would the Hoosiers QB shift the team's mixed draft history?
The Las Vegas Raiders have the first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. They are widely expected to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders have had a checkered past when it comes to success with first-round picks since 2000.
The last time they had the first overall selection, they also took a quarterback. JaMarcus Russell of LSU proved to be one of the biggest busts in NFL history. How have other players done since 2000 when chosen in the first round by the Raiders' franchise?
2000 Player: Sebastian Janikowski Pick: 17 Position: Kicker Grade: A 2001 Player: Derrick Gibson Pick: 28 Position: DB Grade: D 2002 Pick: 17 Player: Phillip Buchanon Position: DB Grade: C Pick: 23 Player: Napoleon Harris Position: LB Grade: C- 2003 Player: Tyler Brayton Pick: 32 Position: DE Grade: C 2004 Player: Robert Gallery Pick: 2 Position: OT Grade: C+ 2005 Player: Fabian Washington Pick: 23 Position: DB Grade: C- 2006 Player: Michael Huff Pick: 7 Position: DB Grade: B- 2007 Player: JaMarcus Russell Pick: 1 Position: QB Grade: F 2008 Player: Darren McFadden Pick: 4 Position: RB Grade: B 2009 Player: Darrius Heyward-Bey Pick: 7 Position: WR Grade: C- 2010 Player: Rolando McClain Pick: 8 Position: LB Grade: D- 2011, '12 No picks 2013 Player: D. J. Hayden Pick: 12 Position: DB Grade: C- 2014 Player: Khalil Mack Pick: 5 Position: LB Grade: A+ 2015 Player: Amari Cooper Pick: 4 Position: WR Grade: B+ 2016 Player: Karl Joseph Pick: 14 Position: S Grade: C- 2017 Player: Gareon Conley Pick: 24 Position: DB Grade: F 2018 Player: Kolton Miller Pick: 15 Position: OT Grade: B 2019 Player: Josh Jacobs Pick: 24 Position: RB Grade: A Player: Johnathan Abram Pick: 27 Position: S Grade: C- 2020 Player: Henry Ruggs Pick: 12 Position: WR Grade: F Player: Damon Arnette Pick: CB Position: 19 Grade: F 2021 Player: Alex Leatherwood Pick: 17 Position: OT Grade: F 2022 No pick 2023 Player: Tyree Wilson Pick: 7 Position: DE Grade: C- 2024 Player: Brock Bowers Pick: 13 Position: TE Grade: A+ 2025 Player: Ashton Jeanty Pick: 6 Position: RB Grade: B This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL bust or star?
Raiders first-round draft grades since 2000