Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft primer: Power ranking, needs, mock projection Holding the No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a chance to reset the franchise. This is the most important decision of the entire draft cycle.
By Jordan Dajani Apr 17, 2026 at 8:54 am ET • 1 min read 
The NFL Draft is where contenders are built, and for the Las Vegas Raiders, this year is about getting the most important decision right. Holding the No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders enter the 2026 draft with a chance to reset the franchise.
This is a defining moment. With quarterback uncertainty and a roster still taking shape, Las Vegas controls the direction of the draft and potentially its long-term future.
Here's how the Raiders stack up, what it means and how they should approach the first round.
Where Raiders sit in draft power ranking: No. 3 (7.78)
CategoryScoreWhat it meansDraft capital9.3No. 1 overall pick plus strong depthFront office DNA4More measured than aggressiveRoster urgency7Building toward long-term successLas Vegas Raiders team needs
- Quarterback
- Offensive weapons
- Defensive depth
What the Raiders should do
Pick No. 1: Stay put Take the quarterback and build the franchise around him.
What every team should do in Round 1
Latest CBS Sports mock draft projection
Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana A franchise quarterback who fits the offense and resets the timeline.
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