2026 NFL draft: Latest Las Vegas Raiders updates, intel, buzz
The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh, when theLas Vegas Raiderswill pick first overall in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25 (ESPN, ABC and ESPN the app).
The Raiders have 10 total picks: Nos. 1, 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 208 and 219. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the Las Vegas front office and coaching staff?
Raiders reporter Ryan McFadden has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the 2026 draft. (We will update this page right up until Round 1 begins.)
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Raiders' mock draft simulation
Tuesday, April 21:The Raiders will soon be on the clock in the draft. In the meantime, let's put on the general manager hat and use the ESPN mock draft simulator to predict how the draft might play out for Las Vegas. It's almost certain that the Raiders will take former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. As for the remaining nine draft choices, there is no clear-cut direction since they have a handful of needs.
The team enters draft week searching for reinforcements at defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, offensive line, wide receiver and running back. Yes, it's a long list.
Here is my take on how Las Vegas could address its various needs in this seven-round mock draft. There's a strong chance of the Raiders trading back, but I opted to fill the team's roster holes with the 10 picks currently at their disposal.
Round 1, Pick 1: Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Round 2, Pick 36: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 67: Bud Clark, Safety, TCU
Round 4, Pick 102: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Round 4, Pick 117 (from MIN via JAX): Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Round 4, Pick 134: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
Round 5, Pick 175: Beau Stephens, Guard, Iowa
Round 6, Pick 185: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Round 6, Pick 208 (from BUF via NYJ): Jalen Huskey, Safety, Maryland
Round 7, Pick 219: Trey Smack, K, Florida
The Raiders add three starting-caliber players on defense in McDonald, Clark and Muhammad. Clark is effective at making plays on the ball, totaling 12 interceptions and 19 pass breakups since 2022. He can also provide support in stopping the run.
Lane has the length and ball skills to become a red zone specialist for Mendoza. As a two-year starter for the Trojans, Lane caught 92 passes for 1,270 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 11 contested catches in 2025.
Burke, who can play at both tackle spots, has the tools to grow into a starter on the offensive line. Smack will compete with veteran Matt Gay and potentially solidify a role as the team's kicker for the foreseeable future. Smack was 10 for 13 on field goal attempts for 50-plus yards in four seasons, including a career-long of 56 yards.
Las Vegas looks to add to safety group
Tuesday, April 14:With only three safeties on the roster, general manager John Spytek anticipates the Raiders using the draft to add depth at the position. He believes this year's draft has a good collection of safeties to improve the group, which currently consists of Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao and Tristin McCollum.
Among the names for the Raiders to consider at safety are Kamari Ramsey (USC), Bud Clark (TCU) and A.J. Haulcy (LSU). Ramsey visited Las Vegas on Monday.
"From top to bottom, there are some guys that you expect to go [in the first round] and all the way through to Day 3, there are some quality players there," Spytek said. "It's something we've got to attack, and I'm glad the class looks like the way it does."
Raiders schedule visit with cornerback prospect
Monday, April 13:San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson is scheduled to visit Las Vegas next week, a source said. Johnson also met with the Raiders at the scouting combine and virtually.
Johnson, a two-year starter for the Aztecs, was named the Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year after he collected 49 tackles, a sack, nine pass breakups and four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown in 2025.
Even though the Raiders re-signed Eric Stokes and traded for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, they still need reinforcements at cornerback. Darien Porter started in 10 games as a rookie and has a ton of upside, but he still has plenty to prove before solidifying a starter role in Year 2. The remaining depth at cornerback includes Greedy Vance, Decamerion Richardson and Chigozie Anusiem -- all of whom played a combined 105 defensive snaps last season.
More moves to be made in the special teams room
Wednesday, April 8:The Raiders signed kicker Matt Gay to a one-year deal after deciding to let Daniel Carlson walk in free agency. But don't anticipate Gay being the only kicker on the roster for much longer. There's a good chance that the Raiders will draft a kicker in the later rounds or sign one as an undrafted free agent. Last month, Las Vegas conducted a private workout with kicker Luke Drzewiecki at New Mexico, a source said. Drzewiecki was tied for the best field goal percentage in the nation (94.7%) in 2025. The Raiders also had a private workout for Boston College long snapper Ben Mann.
Las Vegas looks to host more wide receivers
Wednesday, April 8:The Raiders have conducted thorough research on the wide receiver prospects. They hosted Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, a source said. After Concepcion totaled 61 catches for 919 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, he is projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick later this month. Las Vegas has also met with Washington's Denzel Boston and Georgia State's Ted Hurst. They are expected to meet with Georgia's Zachariah Branch and Louisville's Chris Bell in the coming weeks.
Las Vegas needs to continue strengthening the support staff around Mendoza after signing center Tyler Linderbaum and wide receiver Jalen Nailor in free agency. Even though Las Vegas drafted Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech in last year's draft, both players underperformed as rookies. With that said, adding to the room seems like a logical move.
Is it safe to say the Raiders will draft a defensive tackle?
Wednesday, April 8:The Raiders didn't make too many free agent moves at defensive tackle outside of re-signing restricted free agent Thomas Booker IV. It's safe to assume that's a signal of them addressing that need through the draft.
Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller have met with the Raiders during the pre-draft process, a source told ESPN. Miller is one of the best defensive tackle prospects in this year's class and could be available when the Raiders pick at No. 36 of the second round. Texas A&M defensive tackle Lee Hunter and Missouri's Chris McClellan have also visited Las Vegas.
Another name to monitor as a potential late-round or undrafted free agent option is Duke's Josiah Green. Although Green didn't attend the scouting combine in Febuary, he impressed teams, including Las Vegas, at Duke's Pro Day in March. The Raiders met with Green after his pro day, expressing their love for his athleticism, a source said.
Surprise! Fernando Mendoza visits Raiders
Tuesday, April 7:FormerIndianaquarterback and projected top overall pick Fernando Mendoza is in Las Vegas on Tuesday, also the first day of the Raiders' offseason workout program. The visit feels like a formality at this point since it's widely expected that the Raiders will draft Mendoza at No. 1. The Raiders have done their homework on Mendoza in recent weeks. They met with the QB at the combine and spoke with him virtually. Last week, Las Vegas sent a large contingent, which included general manager John Spytek, coach Klint Kubiak and offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, to Indiana's pro day and they then met with Mendoza afterward.
At this point the biggest question is whether Mendoza will be the Raiders' Week 1 starter now that they have signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.Kubiak said he prefers a rookie quarterback to learn behind a veteran, but Mendoza could convince the coaching staff to think differently by having a strong training camp.
Could Raiders target a RB in the later rounds?
Tuesday, April 7:Las Vegas has yet to address its need for a running back who can be a suitable wingman for Ashton Jeanty, the team's No. 6 overall pick in 2025. The Raiders hosted formerPittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargersrunning back Najee Harris for a visit last week, according to the league's transaction wire.
However, if a deal doesn't materialize with him or another free agent running back, Las Vegas could target one in the late rounds of the draft. Indiana'sKaelon Blackcould be an option for the Raiders. He played a significant role in the Hoosiers' rushing attack, totaling 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries.
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