Raiders Draft Mendoza, Strengthen Roster

0:00This is Corey with the story with NFL News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Las Vegas Raiders landed the top prize in this mock 2026 NFL draft by selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the proper. First overall pick, fresh off a Heisman winning season with a 71% completion rate over 3,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and just. First picks, Mendoza steps in as their potential franchise quarterback to lead the rebuild. Earlier in the off season, the Raiders added free agents at linebacker, receiver, defensive line and kept cornerback Eric Stokes while they're 20. 25 rookies like Ashton Genti and Jack Beck already showed promise. To build depth, they traded down from pick 36, grabbing picks 41, 72 and 221 from the Bengals in exchange for their second and fourth rounders. In round two at pick 41, they took athletic defensive tackle Grayson Halton from Oklahoma,

1:03a quick pass rusher who bolsters the interior line. Round three brought offensive tackle Jennings Dunker from Iowa for right side protection and safety. Jenesis Smith from Arizona, a ballhawk with five. Picks over recent years to fix the secondary gaps. Later rounds added receiver Bryce Lance from North Dakota State, a speedy boundary threat and brother of Chargers QB Tray Lance, plus cornerback. Charles Demings for physical coverage depth. They doubled up on safeties with Bishop Fitzgerald, grab center Matt Gulben for line versatility, linebacker Red Murdoch as a tackling machine, running back Robert Henry to pair with Johnson and wide out Daniel Sobka which for more receiver options. This draft hall focuses on immediate starters around Mendoza and smart depth for rebuilding squad, setting up bigger gains as veterans fill in. During the off season, the daily news now is grateful to our sponsor for today's episode. When you need a moment alone, just lay back and listen. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com