Our newest two-round mock draft has the Las Vegas Raiders adding a blue-chip defensive back early, addressing a major need and setting the tone for the 2026 rebuild. Don’t fret, Raider Nation; we mean early second round.
General manager John Spytek landed some long-term pieces in last year’s draft by going heavy on the offensive line. However, with the top pick presumably going for the quarterback position, you’d think the defense would be the next priority. Luckily for the Silver and Black, there’ll be some intriguing options available in the early second round. Let’s examine a possible scenario.
Raiders 2-Round Mock Draft: GM John Spytek addresses the defense…
Round 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders do not require a quarterback with highlight speed. The roster benefits most from a quarterback who can run an NFL offense on time, protect the football and punish coverage mistakes. Fernando Mendoza fulfills these requirements in a manner that this organization can rely on.
Field vision shows up like a veteran’s. Mendoza diagnoses coverage before the snap, identifies leverage and delivers the ball before the rush can dictate the play. That matters for a team that has lived in third-and-long and too often made the quarterback the entire plan. Ball placement is a weapon, not a luxury. Upfield-shoulder throws, back-shoulder fades and layered “bucket” passes create yards without perfect separation. That forces defenses to defend every blade of grass, it will pay dividends for the Raiders moving forward.
Also, the arm talent is real. Mendoza can drive throws through tight windows and push the ball vertically with enough juice to stress safeties, which keeps boxes lighter for the run game and lets play-action breathe. Toughness also travels. Free rushers and zero blitzes do not rattle Mendoza, and strikes still come out under pressure.
Mendoza possesses functional scramble ability and an ideal size at 6-foot-5. His profile aligns well with a modern NFL offense, enabling him to thrive without needing chaotic situations to succeed. Imagine what Klint Kubiak can do with all of that.
Round 2: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, Toledo
The Raiders need a safety who can impose a strong presence on opposing offenses. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the right fit for that role.
At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, he plays fast and physical. When he sees the run, he’s coming downhill, and he’s looking to finish the tackle, not just “get in the way.” The best part is he doesn’t just hit; he takes the ball. Fourteen forced turnovers in three seasons (five picks, nine forced fumbles) tell the story: this is a defender who treats the football like the whole job.
In coverage, the fit is pretty simple. Deep center field probably isn’t the best use, but closer to the action? That’s where the value shows up. He reads quarterbacks, jumps underneath throws, and can hang with tight ends because he’s not afraid of contact and has enough athleticism to stay attached.
There are things to clean up. Sometimes he bites too hard and opens up cutback lanes. Sometimes his eyes drift into the backfield and a receiver can sneak behind him. That’s real, but it can also be fixed with coaching and role clarity.
Bottom line: McNeil-Warren brings tackling, toughness, and turnovers. That’s a combination this defense has been missing.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images