Raiders 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Vegas throws fans a curveball with QB at No. 1 pick and address every major roster need in just six picks
The Raiders can clinch the No. 1 overall pick with a loss in Week 18.
The Las Vegas Raiders lost their Week 17 game to the New York Giants on Sunday, in what people around the NFL world were calling the “tank bowl.” However, it wasn’t much of a fight, as Vegas ended up losing (or winning )big time, taking the No. 1 pick until further notice.
Las Vegas can clinch the No. 1 pick with a Week 18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Until then, we can all do our latest 2026 NFL Mock Drafts with the Raiders making the No. 1 pick.
But will it matter that much? Our recent mock draft for the Raiders would say otherwise. Based on Vegas odds, the selection LV would make at No. 1 would be a bit of a curveball. Not to mention, all five picks in this mock are picks that address major roster needs.
Latest Raiders 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 1: Dante Moore, Oregon QB
This is the curveball being thrown everyone’s way. I’m not as sold on Fernando Mendoza as I am Moore. Both are good quarterbacks, but not elite. Both can be average starters in the NFL, but I don’t know if either could be elite, top-five guys.
However, if I had to put my money on one of them panning out to be that, it would be Moore, who has much more untapped potential than Mendoza. To me, the Indiana QB comes off as a guy who will only thrive in a system built around him, and in the NFL, especially early in your career, that is not guaranteed. Look at Bryce Young’s situation with the Carolina Panthers as an example. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports College Football Assistant Editor
Round 2, Pick 33: Caleb Lomu, Utah Utes OT
Caleb Lomu is a long, lanky left tackle who could use some more sand in his pants and refinement, but there probably isn’t a better athlete among the group of offensive linemen in this year’s class. His long, fluid pass set can set up defenders with a quick-handed punch and latch that stones them at the junction point.
He’s still developing as a run blocker, but his ability to move in space leaves you to believe he has the potential to be a well-rounded player at the next level. There will be concerns about his weight, play strength, and ability to anchor against power, but his upside is among the best in the class. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports NFL Draft Analyst
Round 3, Pick 65: Connor Lew, Auburn Tigers IOL
This value for Lew is phenomenal as long as his medicals check out. He suffered a season-ending injury this year that may concern some squads, but he has enough confidence in his stock to have already declared. That’s notable.
I thought Lew was in contention to be the top interior offensive lineman in the class during the summer, and with the lack of upside at the top of the IOL group, it won’t shock me if I’m still rather high on him overall by the time the spring rolls around. He is a powerful yet smooth mover and could be a starting center or guard early in his pro career. This fit makes plenty of sense, helping make room for Ashton Jeanty in the future, too. – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports NFL Draft Analyst
Round 4, Pick 101: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Red Raiders LB
For Rodriguez, getting him in this range feels like a win for LV. He’s simply a playmaker in the middle of one of the top defenses in CFB and plays with a relentless motor. While his physical attributes may be somewhat limited at the NFL level, he will make up for that with his instincts and aggressive nature. There’s a reason he was in the Heisman Trophy conversation for most of this season.
The Raiders LB group is tepid, at best, and this is a smart way to improve it without using an early resource in the draft. – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports NFL Draft Analyst
Round 4, Pick 128: Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina Gamecocks CB
Jalon Kilgore has all the measurables that head coach Pete Carroll loves in a defensive back, and he can play in the slot, which is where he primarily played in 2025. Kilgore had some snaps on the outside, and at the next level, he can be that, but he’s best in the slot.
Kilgore has great man coverage skills. He’s sticky, and it’s hard to create any space against him. However, he lacks effort. In the run game, when he is brought into the box, there’s just no urgency. When there’s a WR screen, there’s no urgency.
Kilgore rarely ends up near the ball when the whistle is blown, unless the ball was thrown near him. He isn’t exhausting himself to get to the ball. Luckily, that can be fixed. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports College Football Assistant Editor
Round 4, Pick 135: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is the perfect late-round swing. He lacks the proven production requisite of a first-round pick, and despite being a senior, he doesn’t have a ton of snaps under his belt. But a human of his height and weight (6-6 and close to 270 pounds) isn’t supposed to have the first-step twitch and explosion he does.
He’s the kind of player whose traits you bet on, hoping he turns into a rotational pass rusher with the proper coaching. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports NFL Draft Analyst
NFL Draft
3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Giants and Jets make huge trade for a quarterback as Raiders, Rams, Cardinals, Dolphins add passers
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore kick things off at QB, and several WRs are picked in the first round after Carnell Tate goes top 10.
