3 bold predictions for the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2026 NFL Draft that could make their class even better
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a position of power right now. They have the No. 1 overall pick and plenty of picks to trade back up. So, what will they do?
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with their direction clear. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza will become a Raider. After that, their plans remain unpredictable.
It’s impossible to predict exactly what any team will do in the draft, as the possibilities and outcomes are endless. Still, I’ll make bold predictions; if they’re wrong, at least I can claim they were bold. That’s how this works, right? That way, I can still protect my online ego. In all seriousness, these are things I think could legit happen, but the chances aren’t very high.
3 bold predictions for the Raiders during the 2026 NFL Draft
The Raiders trade up back into the first round
I’m not really sure this will happen, and actually think the chances of it not happening are greater. However, there is a path to it happening. The Raiders can trade back into the late 20s with a team like the Cleveland Browns or Seattle Seahawks. However, they should only do that if they get one of their guys who may go in the first round. Guys like Dillon Thieneman, Omar Cooper Jr., or Kayden McDonald are worth trading up for, and maybe even Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. However, EMW has been rumored to potentially fall to the second round as of late. Trading up would likely cost 36, 117, and 185.
Tre Tucker gets dealt away on draft night
We have all heard that Tucker is very loved by Klint Kubiak, so there is a possibility that he stays on the team. However, with one year left on his deal and a player drafted several regimes ago, he could be out of town soon. Kubiak praising him could have been a minor attempt to boost his stock a bit. Tucker has shown some great qualities and flashes as a football player. However, with Jalen Nailor on the team now, the roles feel a bit wonky. Trading him could yield some nice draft stock and open up the role for a rookie wide receiver.
Raiders take an offensive lineman No. 2 overall.
The Raiders have signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Spencer Burford, who has started 38 games in his career. They have Caleb Rogers with 280 snaps last season, and Jordan Meredith, who had a good 2024 season at guard, but a bad season at center last year. Could the Raiders bring in another offensive guard in the second round, maybe one who could start right away?
I’m not sure, because there is a lot of uncertainty with that position group. Then there is the right tackle spot, which currently has DJ Glaze. However, Glaze led the league in blown blocks last season and was in the top 10 in his rookie year. They have Charles Grant as a potential backup, but Grant has played just 48 total snaps, and he’s only 6’4, which is small for an OT. I don’t think they will take an OL at 36, but it’s a bold prediction for sure.
