The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the first round and the 36th pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Although the 2025 season was tough to watch if you are a Las Vegas Raiders fan, this offseason is already off to a great start.
Las Vegas’ head coaching job was the second-to-last one to be filled but they are getting the guy they wanted from the start. Kubiak is an excellent, young offensive mind and is highly regarded as one of the best play-callers in the National Football League.
With a good foundation of quality players on the offensive side of the ball, like All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, Kubiak already has solid playmakers to draw up plays for.
This hire was important for obvious reasons, but the main reason is alignment with the front office before the draft. The Raiders have the No. 1 and No. 36 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and it’s no secret who the franchise will be selecting first.
ESPN’s Matt Miller constructed the first two rounds of his mock draft after studying over 100 prospects at the Senior Bowl last week, and the draft analyst has the Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor with their first two picks.
“My No. 4 overall player, Mendoza gives the Raiders a franchise-caliber quarterback with excellent poise, decision-making, accuracy and toughness both in and out of the pocket, which he showed in winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to the national championship,” Miller wrote Monday.
Mendoza was an absolute stud with Indiana and completed his undefeated season with Heisman Trophy and National Championship victories. He has the size and toughness of Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and the accuracy of New England Patriots QB Drake Maye. His makeup is elite and is the clear choice for Las Vegas at No. 1.
“He can start from day one, and the Raiders have the offensive infrastructure around him in tackle Kolton Miller, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. Mendoza's experience and proven ability to elevate those around him should make him a lock here.”
The combination of Kubiak, Mendoza, Bowers and Jeanty will be dangerous for years to come. The offensive line needs improvement on the interior, but left tackle Kolton Miller was incredible when healthy in 2025.
Mesidor at 36th overall would be a steal. Miller notes that his age is a factor in his draft position, but he would make for a solid complement to star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
“Mesidor's age (he turns 25 in April) might limit how high he can rise, but this value at the top of Round 2 would be too sweet to pass up. Mesidor projects as a true 4-3 defensive end who could disrupt offenses opposite Maxx Crosby.”
Mesidor has great hands and footwork that pair well with his athleticism off the edge. He is very strong and can make adjustments to win one-on-one matchups, but scouts believe his height and length may not translate well to the NFL. Mesidor has a lot of talent and would be a difference-maker as a Raider.