Raiders Draft: Mendoza, Stukes, Crawford

0:00On April 26, the Las Vegas Raiders just wrapped their 2026 NFL draft, kicking it off with the number one overall pick, quarterback, Fernando Mendoza from Indiana. This 6-foot-5, 236-pound Heisman winner led his team to a national title last year, and he's got the size, arm, and mobility. Perfect for Clint Kubiak's offense. Front office nailed the franchise centerpiece right out the gate with an A-plus grade. They kept building smart, trading back in Round 2 for safety trade-and-stukes from Arizona, at Pick 38, another A-grade guy with four picks, and 4.3 speed to fix a weak secondary. Third round brought edge-rusher Kiran Crawford from Auburn, a B-plus with six-and-a-half sacks, trading away Tyree Wilson to make room for his. Upside, Raider Nation's buzzing with real hope after last season's mess, especially on the line where they grab center-trade zoomed the third from Texas A and, M at Pick 91. His pass pro games elite, bringing competition to a unit that needs it bad.

1:04Fans see this class plugging holes at safety, edge, and corners without reaching. Day 3 with Steel City, like fourth round corner, Jermad McCoy from Tennessee, an A-plus who fell due to injury, but ran a 4.38. Forty-end could pair with Darian Porter. They doubled up safeties in corners, added running back Mike Washington Jr. with home run speed, and wide-out Malik Benson for deep threats. This drafts got three-year potential ridden all over it, blending early impact guys with late-round gems. If these young guns develop, the silver and black could be contending sooner than we think. That's your update from NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with The Story.