Raiders' Draft Plan: Best Player, Defensive Needs

0:00On April 4th, less than three weeks until the Las Vegas Raiders kick off the 2026 NFL draft with their first round pick and general. Manager John Spitech holds nine selections total to fix roster gaps, nose tackle, wide receiver, and safety stand out as big needs heading into pick 36 in the second round. But the plan leans toward best player, available over forcing fits. Fans keep asking who drops to 36, and nose tackle, Caden McDonald from Ohio State tops the list if his stock holds steady after some early. Hype cooled off. Edge rushes or corners could slide too, fitting the rebuild by grabbing premium talent early rather than reaching for needs. Meanwhile, offensive tackle chatter heats up with names like Caleb Lomu or Max Ihanakor, but the staff seems set to lead DJ Glaze and Charles Gran. Compete in camp instead of burning a high pick there. Last year's line investments didn't pan out quick, so they want contributors who play right away on defense.

1:00Deeper into the mailbag, mid-round defensive backs like TCU's Bud Clark, scream value for ball-hawking depth at safety or corner. Titan backup makes sense too, behind Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers, eyeing Stanford Sam Roush around pick 117 as a blocker. With upside, shifting to scheme, the new 3-4 defense under Rob Leonard dials back the old Wade Phillips, blitzes for simulated pressures that confuse lines, without dropping coverage. As Nichol sets Domini, expect versatile fronts blending 3-4 and 4-3 looks to match today's past heavy offenses. Draft day is going to shake things up quick.