7-Round Raiders 2026 Mock Draft: Brand new mock draft simulator gives Vegas the perfect class to kick off the Klint Kubiak era
A to Z Sports has launched its brand new mock draft simulator, and we’re celebrating with a new 7-round Raiders mock draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders are ready to get the Klint Kubiak era started. The final stages of getting that era underway are finishing the roster, which means the 2026 NFL Draft is as important as ever.
While the team has made improvements during the 2026 NFL free agency period, both sides of the ball need an infusion of talent to elevate this team to one fighting for the postseason and eventually winning playoff games. How could the 2026 NFL Draft play out for the Raiders? We used our brand new mock draft simulator to try to answer that question.
The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives!
Round 1, Pick 1: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
This one is pretty self-explanatory at this point. Everyone and their aunt knows that the Raiders are going to select Mendoza No. 1 overall. They need a quarterback, and have needed a franchise guy at the position for some time now. Luckily for them, they get to pick literally anyone they want No. 1 overall, and despite what anyone says about Ty Simpson or making the case for him being QB1, the Raiders are all in on Mendoza. How do we know that? Well, there wasn’t a single member of the Raiders front office, coaching staff, or scouting staff at Simpson’s pro day.
A very large portion will be at Mendoza’s on Wednesday. They need a guy who not only raised the ceiling of this team, but a guy who raises the floor. With him, they are automatically better than they were before, because he’s that good. What did Mendoza do in big games last season? Fernando Mendoza in ranked games last season was 6-0, with a 73% completion rate, throwing 15 touchdowns and two interceptions with a 130.7 passer rating.
Round 2, Pick 36: Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
Kayden McDonald was one of the best interior defensive tackles in college football last season. One of his biggest “weaknesses” is that others think he benefited from playing on what may be the best defense in football, with an elite defensive line. However, McDonald still made the plays needed to win.
Among all defensive tackles, he was fourth in tackles with 60, had the best PFF Run Defense Grade at 91.2, had the most tackles for loss/no gain at 16, and had 30 run stops, which was the most among DTs. McDonald can be an elite run defender in the NFL, and could fit that nose tackle mold perfectly that the Raiders need.
Round 3, Pick 67: LSU S AJ Haulcy
The Raiders currently have only three safeties on the roster in Isaiah Pola-Mao, Jeremy Chinn, and Tristin McCollum. Chinn and Pola-Mao are set to be free agents after the 2026 season. Whether they are back or not is a different story, but Vegas must prepare for life after them, because it’s unlikely both come back. There’s a chance neither comes back. Haulcy had an 88.8 coverage grade in 2025. He has good ball skills with 10 career interceptions, great tools in zone coverage, and strong angles in the run game.
His experience, with over 2,800 career snaps, helps him in situations that other players who haven’t played as much might get stuck in. His biggest flaws are tackling, with a 15.8% missed tackle rate in 2025, and being too aggressive at times, which causes him to get beaten in a multitude of ways. He doesn’t have great length, either, but the potential jumps off the page.
Round 4, Pick 102: USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane
The Raiders need a big body X receiver. The way that Klint Kubiak talked about Tre Tucker on Tuesday tells us he may not be as worried about having a certain type of receiver as much as having guys who just get open and make plays. He likes Tucker, which made me feel comfortable taking a WR in this draft class in the fourth round. Lane is a USC kid, and we all know about the connection there to the Raiders. He catches everything thrown his way and would be a huge addition to the room.
Round 4, Pick 117: Georgia CB Daylen Everette
Everette, a versatile player with a 6’1, bulky frame, looks like a safety but runs like a cornerback. He brings strong speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and excels in zone coverage. Although he struggles in man coverage, he has the physical traits to improve, with very long arms and the ability to stay sticky at times. However, he’s been beaten too many times when pressing.
With 1,700 snaps outside and over 100 in the slot, he is an ideal target for the Raiders. He’s an outside zone CB who thrives in zone coverage but doesn’t yet have a great man toolset. Everette is a projected late Day 2/early Day 3 pick. Luckily, the Raiders have six picks in that range, including three fourth-round picks. Everette has played on a Georgia Bulldogs team that knows how to win.
Round 4, Pick 134: Texas A&M OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams
Reed-Adams is a very good run blocker with some tools to be a very good pass blocker. The Raiders’ worst position may be at guard, so getting someone who can develop there would be huge. And if not, you now have someone who can be a great depth piece. Reed-Adams has a great punch and great spatial awareness. However, he has to work on his hand placement and get his base right.
Round 5, Pick 175: Indiana RB Roman Hemby
Hemby is decent at really everything, but not really great at anything. But, he is good at what the Raiders probably don’t want Ashton Jeanty doing in 2026–short down and distances. Those third and twos that Jeanty was so often stopped before the line of scrimmage, yeah, they need a big power back in those situations. They need that same kind of back for the goal line, too. Hemby, at 6’0, 210, can be that as a backup or even third back if they sign a veteran RB.
Round 6, Pick 185: Arkansas LB Xavian Sorey
Sorey, at 6’2, 230, has the potential to be a great on-ball linebacker. He also has the potential to be a decent coverage linebacker and the tools to, who knows, make a transition to the edge-rusher position if he puts on muscle and develops. Probably not, but never say never. All of those things are what the Raiders need, so this pick is all about potential. Sorey could be a good football player.
Round 6, Pick 208: Illinois OT J.C. Davis
Davis was a left tackle in college, but his size suggests he could slide inside if needed. Kubiak once again doubled down on liking the guys they have at tackle with Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, and Charles Grant. But they need depth and competition. Davis, who could bring that in camp, could slide in at tackle if injuries force him there. However, if he has a shot at being a rotational player or an immediate backup, it will likely be at guard, as he’s only 6’4. He has a thick frame, long arms, and strong hands, and uses them well when dealing with strong defensive players. However, his pad level and hip placement need significant work.
Round 7, Pick 219: Cincinnati TE Joe Royer
The Raiders have the best linebacker room in the NFL. However, after losing Ian Thomas in free agency, they don’t really have that solidified TE3, and they certainly don’t have a tight end who was great at run blocking like Thomas was. Royer can be elite in the run block game due to his size and athleticism. However, there needs to be some development there as well.
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