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Raiders Mock Draft 11.0: What I'm Hearing Ahead of NFL Draft
Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady have assembled an impressive staff to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:23pm
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With the NFL Draft just 17 days away, the Las Vegas Raiders are making final preparations under the leadership of GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. The team has built a strong scouting and evaluation team, led by Brandon Yeargan, that has provided valuable insights into the top prospects. The Raiders are expected to be aggressive in the draft, potentially making a trade to move up in the second round to add more talent for new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Why it matters
The Raiders have struggled to find a long-term solution at quarterback, and the selection of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick could provide stability at the most important position. The team has also identified other key needs, including wide receiver, defensive tackle, and safety, and is aiming to add impact players at those positions to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
The details
The Raiders' mock draft includes the selection of Fernando Mendoza, a highly-touted quarterback prospect from Indiana, with the first overall pick. In the second round, the team is targeting Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston and Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, the latter of which was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets. The Raiders also added Arizona safety Genesis Smith in the third round and Texas Tech linebacker Romello Height in the fourth round.
- The 2026 NFL Draft is just 17 days away.
- The Raiders are expected to be aggressive in the draft, potentially making a trade to move up in the second round.
The players
John Spytek
The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, who has assembled an impressive scouting and evaluation team to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Tom Brady
The minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, who has worked closely with GM John Spytek to build the team's roster.
Brandon Yeargan
The head of the Raiders' college scouting department, who has provided valuable insights into the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fernando Mendoza
The top-rated quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, who the Raiders are expected to select with the first overall pick.
Denzel Boston
A wide receiver prospect from the University of Washington, who the Raiders are targeting in the second round.
What’s next
The Raiders will continue to evaluate prospects and finalize their draft strategy in the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to take place on April 24-26.
The takeaway
The Raiders are making a concerted effort to build a competitive roster through the draft, leveraging their scouting resources and relationships around the league to identify top talent. The selection of Fernando Mendoza at quarterback could provide the long-term stability the team has been seeking, while the additions of Denzel Boston, Lee Hunter, Genesis Smith, and Romello Height address other key needs on both sides of the ball.
