The Las Vegas Raiders make a smart Day 2 trade in this latest mock draft, turning extra draft value into potential impact players and long-term building blocks. The big question: Will general manager John Spytek be aggressive enough in that pivotal range to go get top-tier talent?
We all know that Fernando Mendoza will be the pick when the first overall selection gets named by the league’s commissioner. The real roster building will take place on the second day, where it’s absolutely crucial that the Raiders acquire as much talent as possible for a team devoid of starters. You really can’t go wrong in this draft, but Rob Leonard’s defense should be the priority once Mendoza’s secured.
That is where Spytek has to earn his keep. Day 2 is where this class can change the trajectory of the rebuild, and the Raiders cannot leave it with just “depth” if they expect Mendoza to develop in a stable environment. Leonard’s side of the ball needs immediate help at multiple spots, so adding defenders who can play early, not just project later, should be the focus. If Las Vegas comes out of Friday with two or three legitimate contributors on defense, the draft starts looking less like a reset and more like a real foundation.
Luckily for Raiders fans, a headline-stealing trade will put the Raiders in prime position to pull off the aforementioned feat.
- Steelers receive: 67th overall pick and the 102nd overall pick
- Raiders receive: 76th overall pick and 85th overall pick
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Pulling off the right Day 2 trade
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza is not the flashy quarterback prospect who lives on highlight reels, and that may be exactly why the Raiders should feel comfortable with him.
His best trait is simple: he makes smart decisions, over and over again. Mendoza does not play reckless football. He avoids bad turnovers, sees open receivers and takes what the defense gives him. If the checkdown is there, he takes it. If the throw is not there, he will throw it away. That kind of discipline is rare in college quarterbacks and even rarer in a prospect with real upside.
He is also excellent in RPO concepts and alert throws, which matter in today’s NFL. He processes quickly and plays within structure without looking scared or robotic.
The concern is fair, though. His deep ball can hang, and he will leave some vertical throws short. That is the part of his game that needs work, especially on throws beyond 50 yards.
Still, the bigger picture matters. Mendoza throws very well in the 25–50-yard range and has shown he can hit longer shots when the timing is right. If the Raiders draft him, they are betting on poise, discipline and quarterbacking that translates.
Raider Nation: Grading Klint Kubiak’s staff so far
Round 2, No. 36: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Anthony Hill Jr. plays linebacker like the ball owes him money.
He has rare sideline-to-sideline range, the kind of speed that turns “nice gain” into “why did you even try that?” He closes with a burst, runs downhill with bad intentions and finishes through contact. The tackling grades back it up, but the film sells it: He arrives like a stampede and leaves a receipt.
Hill is more than fast. He is instinctive and early to the ball, reading keys quickly, triggering at the snap and beating blockers to spots without getting fooled by misdirection. He also creates chaos, with eight forced fumbles and 17 career sacks, which is rare production for an off-ball linebacker.
The projection questions are fair, but if the Raiders want a defender who can disrupt games, Hill needs to be the pick.
Round 3, No. 76: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Zachariah Branch is the kind of prospect that splits a fan base fast. For Raider Nation, it’d be no different.
If the Raiders draft him, they are not drafting a traditional WR1. They are drafting a specialty weapon. A playmaker. A stress test for a defense. Get him the ball on screens, motions and designed touches, and he can turn a small gain into a big problem.
That is the upside.
The concerns are real, too. His role may need to be carefully built. His route tree is limited right now. And in today’s NFL, where defenses play a lot of zone, receivers have to win with more than speed and gadget touches. That is where the projection gets tricky.
Still, not every draft pick has to be a finished product on Day 1. Some picks are about traits and how a coaching staff plans to use them. Branch can change spacing, force defenses to communicate and punish bad angles if new head coach Klint Kubiak and his staff use him the right way.
Related: Do the Raiders prioritize Eric Stokes this offseason?
Round 3, No. 85: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
Darrell Jackson Jr. would give the Raiders a strong run defender with rare size, length and power at defensive tackle.
At 6-foot-5 and 328 pounds, he can absorb double teams, control blockers and close interior rushing lanes. His length and grip strength help him win leverage, collapse gaps and keep linebackers clean to pursue the ball. He also has enough short-area quickness to react to cut blocks, work into nearby gaps and finish plays in his area.
The main concern is his athletic ceiling, especially as a pass rusher. He is not a high-end mover, and his production may come more from power and disruption than consistent pressure. That limits his upside in obvious passing situations. Still, Jackson diagnoses the run well, recognizes screens and scrambles, and plays with steady effort in pursuit.
For a Raiders defense that needs more strength and reliability up front, he projects as a valuable piece. He may not be the most dynamic interior defender in the class, but he can help stabilize the front and improve early down defense.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images