Raiders 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Vegas gets their nose tackle and safety of the future while Mendoza gets protection and a weapon
The Raiders would walk away a better team with this draft class.
With just one month until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders—and every other team—are finalizing decisions that will define their roster for the upcoming season.
Free agency has slowed down. Teams and media are now focused on draft preparation. Let’s produce a weekly mock draft as we approach the draft. Our first is a seven-round mock, featuring the Raiders selecting Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, then building around him with protection, a weapon, and two defensive stars.
Raiders 2026 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
1.01 – Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Hoosiers QB
This one doesn’t need much explaining. From here on out, you will see this selection in pretty much every single mock draft out there. The Raiders need their franchise guy, and Mendoza is that.
2.36 – Lee Hunter, Texas Tech DT
The Raiders need a nose tackle, or something close to it, to take up space in the middle of this new 3-4 scheme. A guy like Hunter, who can become an immediate starter at the position, would be a homerun pick if he falls to 36, and he very well could. The Raiders would be getting a great run-stopper and space-eater, along with a guy who can develop into an elite three-technique.
3.67 – Elijah Sarratt, Indiana Hoosiers WR
Nailor, the Raiders’ new wide receiver they got in free agency, is a slot receiver. That’s where he played the most snaps last year, and that’s where he projects to be this season. Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton haven’t really done anything in their careers yet and are projected to be on the outside. Although the Raiders took two receivers last year, I can see them taking another one on Day 2 in 2026. Sarratt is the perfect blend of what they have and what they need. He’s going to make his money in the middle and intermediate parts of the field. He’s got an amazing catch radius and brings down contested catches extremely well. His 6’2 frame allows him not to get thrown around much when he is being pressed, but he does have to work on some things, like his release when being pressed, and a few small things that could really change his separation factor. And, why not pair him with Mendoza?
4.102 – Genesis Smith, Arizona Wildcats S
Smith could be the safety of the future for the Raiders, and they need to take one high in this draft. Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao are both free agents after this season, and behind them all they currently have is Tristin McCollum. So, they need a safety, and they need one who, after a year of development, could become the starter in 2027, and Smith can. He has some of the best xone coverage instincts in this draft, and is great at using his length to cover space.
4.117 – Will Lee, Texas A&M Aggies CB
Two seasons ago, Will Lee was one of the very best cornerbacks in college football. Since then, he has fallen off a bit, but not enough to avoid drafting him if he’s there in the fourth round, which he could be. Lee is excellent on coverage, with tools to be elite in both zone and man coverage. However, his size has gotten him in trouble. The Raiders currently have Darien Porter and Eric Stokes as their two boundary CBs. If that doesn’t work out, they will need a backup plan.
4.134 – Beau Stephens, Iowa Hawkeyes OG
There’s no secret that the Raiders need help on the offensive line. Now, whether they attack the offensive tackle position or the guard position is the question. With HC Klint Kubiak’s comments on loving the stability at OT, and the move they just made to sign Spencer Burford, it’s even more questionable what they will do. Burford has a ton of starts, but hasn’t played well, while Caleb Rogers at the OG position has under 300 total snaps in his career.
5.175 – Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame Fighting Irish OT
Despite what Kubiak said about the OT position, they still need some depth there. Wagner, much like Glaze when he was drafted, has the potential to develop into a full-time starter, but there is a lot of work to be done there first. Wagner would be a good fit with this scheme, too.
6.185 – Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame Fighting Irish S
The Raiders will need more than one safety in this class since they didn’t sign any in free agency. Stroman has the tools to come in and play when needed, but he needs a ton of development to be anything more than that. However, he could be a very good special teams player for the Silver and Black.
6.208 – Harold Perkins Jr., LSU Tigers LB
Perkins once looked like a top-10 pick before injuries and concerns at LSU dropped his stock. He’s a dynamic hybrid linebacker with elite athleticism and playmaking range, but must be managed carefully to maximize his potential at the pro level.
7.219 – TJ Guy, Michigan Wolverines EDGE
Despite signing Kwity Paye and bringing Koonce and Crosby back, the Raiders will need an edge rusher to potentially be in the depth chart and rotation come 2027, when Koonce’s deal is up. There’s no telling who will be on the roster then, and Guy could be a decent football player by then.
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