Las Vegas Raiders grab their franchise QB, overhaul the roster to kick off the post-Pete Carroll era in latest mock draft
Latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft kicks off the post-Pete Carroll era for the Las Vegas Raiders in impressive fashion.
As many anticipated, the Las Vegas Raiders have opted for an organizational reset on Monday after letting go of head coach Pete Carroll. While that tenure was unsuccessful, there is still reason for optimism for the future of the team. The biggest reason for that optimism comes from the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall selection. That gives the team the ultimate opportunity to flip their fortunes, and quickly.
With some help from A to Z Sports Raiders beat writer Justin Churchill, I put together a 7-round Raiders mock draft. Churchill took the time to break down each selection at the end, giving his expertise on how the mock fits into the biggest needs in Las Vegas. It was a pretty impressive haul, if I do say so myself, but let’s see what Churchill thinks.
7-round Las Vegas Raiders mock draft
Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Round 2, Pick 33: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Round 3, Pick 65: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Round 4, Pick 101: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Round 4, Pick 118: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Round 4, Pick 134: Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami
Round 6, Pick 174: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
Round 6, Pick 182: Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT, Wake Forest
Round 6, Pick 183: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Round 6, Pick 217: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Grading the Raiders’ mock draft
Despite what anyone says, it’s clear the Raiders need and will likely be going for a quarterback in the draft. At this point, it’s much more about which one they get. At the NFL level and in terms of potential, I’m much more of a Dante Moore guy, especially because I think he will be able to do more with less in his career than Mendoza will be able to. Let’s face it, the Raiders don’t seem competent enough to build around their quarterback. This is still a good pick, though.
The Raiders desperately need more help at CB. That was maybe their worst position group this season, other than the QB position. You simply cannot start a season with guys like Darnay Holmes and Eric Stokes as starters and think the room is just okay. Cisse enables the immediate elevation of that room. This pick is solid.
Some in the fan base truly feel like this offensive line isn’t bad. There are parts of it that are good, and others that will improve once Pete Carroll and his son, the OL coach, are gone. However, they still need pieces on the offensive line. DJ Glaze may not be the guy for Vegas, and if he’s not, Freeling can be. This pick is okay, however, with them drafting Charles Grant last season, I’d like to think they see him as the potential next RT, and would go interior before tackle. However, this franchise does some different and odd things all the time.
Dennis-Sutton is one of my favorite players in the draft. Despite being on a bad team, he played fairly well this last season. Vegas may not bring back Malcolm Koonce next season, who’s on a one-year deal. They may not bring Tyree Wilson back the year after that. So, they need to bring in a guy who can play across from Maxx Crosby. This is my favorite pick of the bunch for the value they’d be getting.
Bell is one of the more underrated players in the draft, and the Raiders have to do a good job of putting weapons around their new quarterback. They’ll have Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton, and Jack Bech. However, they need someone to replace Jakobi Meyers. You can never be too wrong with having too many weapons.
The interior defensive line is a need for the Raiders, but it’s definitely a position I could see them taking around this pick, just because the value and class aren’t that great there. Moten Sr. would be a great get at that pick, and he could likely compete for a backup or third-string spot along with 2025 rookies Tonka Hemingway and J.J. Pegues. Who knows, maybe he’s better and plays directly behind Adam Butler and Jonah Laulu. This is a great pick.
This is the first pick that I don’t really like. It has nothing to do with the player. I love the player and getting him at this spot. However, I just can’t see Vegas taking two wide receivers in this draft, not after taking two last year. Then again, they will have some expiring contracts going into the 2027 draft, so maybe they do. However, I’d like to see them go interior offensive line here, or move linebacker up a bit, and take a wide receiver later in the draft.
The former defensive lineman turned offensive lineman is a fun pick, one that I think Raiders fans would love. He would look great in silver and black, and at this point, it’s really just about getting guys with upside who fit a need for potential depth. This is a solid pick.
I’m a huge fan of Aiden Fisher, especially at this pick. Linebacker should be moved up a smidge, though, in terms of priority. The Raiders entered the season with their linebacker corps as Germaine Pratt (no longer on the team), Devin White, Elandon Roberts, and Jamal Adams. They need a starter in 2026, if possible. However, Fisher is pretty awesome.
At this point, it’s all about who you think has the potential to be a depth piece on the 53-man roster, or who you want to draft that may be hard to get as a UDFA. The Raiders need more guys in the secondary. I like this pick.
Las Vegas Raiders News
Raiders’ decision to move on from Pete Carroll proves the franchise is dysfunctional as ever before, even with Tom Brady in the fold
The Raiders will be on their fifth head coach in six years.
