Raiders GM John Spytek is keeping everyone on their toes regarding a potential plan throughout the 2026 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a unique position: they need a ton of different positions, but they have Draft stock to move up if they prefer to do so.
The Las Vegas Raiders are almost ready to kick off the 2026 NFL Draft. Every team must complete its pre-draft visits by Wednesday, April 15th. The Raiders have had a ton of meetings with some very talented prospects. Now, all that is left in this pre-draft process is finalizing their big board and draft plan.
General Manager John Spytek is entering his second season calling the shots in the draft. Therefore, it’s hard to predict what he will do this year. Last season, Spytek made several draft-day trades. With the 11th pick in this year’s draft, there is a possibility the Raiders make several moves, whether that is trading up or back.
“Open to all options,” Spytek said to reporters. “I didn’t think that we were going to trade down twice in the second round last year, and we felt like the trade offers that we got were just too good to pass up. And if someone’s looking to bail and we think that there’s a really high-quality player we can go get, we’ll certainly consider it. And if someone’s offering us too much to not pick, then we’ll do that too.”
This could all be a smoke screen from Spytek. He may already know whether or not he wants to be active in trade talks. Then again, he may not know what he wants to do until he gets into the draft.
Raiders have the perfect ammo to get quality players throughout the draft
With 11 draft picks, three of them fourth-rounders, the Raiders have several options for how they could go about making moves in the draft. Having the capital they have could mean they move up in the draft at some point. In a draft class like this one, there will be plenty of good football players in the middle rounds. Vegas could also use its three sixth-round picks to move back into the middle rounds.
However, the Raiders have a ton of needs. So, while they are in the business of getting good football players, they’re also going to need to plug holes. When you have as many needs as they have, 11 draft picks could come in handy. And, they may end up needing every single pick. The Raiders may not be able to afford bringing in fewer than 10 players in this draft class.
Vegas will need to bring in at least two safeties via the draft and the UDFA market. They could also use one offensive tackle and one offensive guard in this draft. Cornerback isn’t a pressing need, but they do need depth and a potential backup plan for Darien Porter, who didn’t prove he can be a full-time starting CB in this league.
The Raiders also need a backup running back to help lighten the workload on Ashton Jeanty. Last season, Vegas drafted two wide receivers. They didn’t get a fair shot at showing what they could really do. Even so, the Raiders will likely still draft a WR in this draft. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard needs a defensive tackle who can spend time as a nose tackle and three-technique.
They will also need some depth and a developmental piece on the edge for life after Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce. Not to mention, they are also going to use one of those 11 picks on Fernando Mendoza, their future franchise quarterback. So, it’s safe to say there’s a chance the Raiders keep all their picks.
