Raiders GM John Spytek Should Keep No. 36 Pick

Why the Las Vegas Raiders should resist trading back in the second round and trust their draft board.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the complex decision-making process of an NFL team during the draft.The Raiders' pivotal second-round pick represents a critical juncture in the team's long-term rebuild.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2026 NFL Draft with the 36th overall pick, and there is an argument for the team to trade back and acquire more selections. However, GM John Spytek and the Raiders' scouting staff have spent months constructing their draft board, and trading back could cause them to miss out on a legitimate starting-caliber player. The Raiders need immediate contributors under their new coaching staff, and developmental picks acquired through a trade-back scenario may take too long to pay off. Additionally, signaling a willingness to trade back could give rival teams leverage and result in the Raiders receiving less than optimal value. The 36th pick is a crucial part of the Raiders' roster rebuild, and they should trust their process and select the best player available.

Why it matters

The Raiders have struggled with roster-building and draft decisions for the past two decades, contributing to their mediocrity. This offseason represents a chance for new GM John Spytek to establish a sustainable approach and set the team up for long-term success. Staying disciplined and trusting their scouting process at No. 36 could pay dividends, while trading back could result in missing out on a potential impact player.

The details

The Raiders' new coaching staff is still establishing its identity and standards, and the team needs immediate contributors, not just developmental prospects. Spytek's scouting staff has evaluated these players extensively, and the difference between the 36th and 52nd picks represents real separation in projection, ceiling, and confidence. Signaling a willingness to trade back could also give rival teams leverage, potentially resulting in the Raiders receiving less than optimal value in a trade-back scenario.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

John Spytek

The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, who is tasked with rebuilding the roster through the draft and free agency.

Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders' first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, who is expected to be a cornerstone of the team's rebuild.

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What they’re saying

“Trading back is not inherently smart. It is a hedge, and hedging at No. 36 carries real consequences.”

— Sonny Guzik, Writer

“If there is a wide receiver or defensive tackle who grades out as a legitimate starter at 36, moving back to pick up a third-round pick and a late-round swing is not value. It is waste disguised as strategy.”

— Sonny Guzik, Writer

What’s next

The Raiders will make their selection at No. 36 during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision at No. 36 will be a crucial test of their new front office's ability to rebuild the team through the draft. Staying disciplined and trusting their scouting process could pay dividends, while trading back could result in missing out on a potential impact player and further delay the team's return to relevance.