Grading Raiders 2026 Draft class: Pick-by-pick grades, analysis
We go through and grade each of the Raiders ten draft picks as well as the full class.
The Raiders 2026 Draft class is in the books. While it might be years before we know what kind of talent the Raiders just selected, what we can do right now is grade how they worked the draft, found value, and went about filling the needs of the team. Here are my grades for the Raiders draft class.
Round 1, pick 1 -- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana There was one team in this draft who had a very clear assignment. It was the Raiders and that assignment was to take Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. They did that.
And it might have been a no-brainer pick they were supposed to make, but it doesn't make it any less impactful. Grade: A+ Round 2, pick 38 -- Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona Sitting there on the board for the Raiders at 36 was Washington WR Denzel Boston and DT Kayden McDonald. The former was considered the best X receiver in this draft, the latter, arguably the best nose tackle.
Both positions being the Raiders top needs. They opted not to select either of them, and instead traded down two spots to 38, and gaining and extra day three pick (91 for 117) in the process. The Texans then took McDonald at 36.
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