General manager John Spytek attacks the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense from the back end in our latest mock draft, reloading the secondary to make Maxx Crosby’s pressure count. The picks prioritize coverage support, scheme fit, and a cleaner defensive identity. It’s time to build around No. 98 and end this trade hearsay.
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Getting “The Condor” some much-needed help…
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza’s 2025 season at Indiana is easy to sell, but it still needs clear-eyed context.
The good is real. He’s tough; Mendoza will stand in, take a hit, and still rip the throw. He has NFL size, enough mobility to steal yards when defenses turn their backs, and an arm that can drive the “money” throws like deep outs and comebacks. His best trait is accuracy, especially in that 10-to-20-yard range where games are usually decided. He puts the ball on the right shoulder in stride, and his back-shoulder throws look repeatable, not lucky.
The worries are also real, and they are fixable if the plan is right. Pressure started to beat him late in the year. He took too many sacks, and there were snaps where he dropped his eyes instead of trusting the pocket. That has to tighten up in the NFL.
Then there is the system question. He ran a lot of RPOs at Indiana. The quick decisions are a plus, but the league asks you to live in more traditional dropbacks. Are the Raiders ready for him?
Round 2, No. 36: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Brandon Cisse is the kind of prospect scouts argue about in the best way: a freaky athlete, but not a finished product.
Start with the numbers. At 6 feet and 189 pounds, he popped a 41-inch vertical and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. That is a serious explosion for a defensive back. On the field, it shows up in how fast he closes, how willing he is to tackle, and why some evaluators call him scheme-versatile. If you want a corner or safety who will stick his nose in the run game, he checks that box.
The hang-up is coverage feel. Cisse can get caught guessing. His instincts and route recognition are not always on time, and good NFL route runners will punish late reactions. That also ties to the biggest red flag: not enough consistent plays on the ball.
So the question becomes simple: what are you buying? If you draft him, you are betting on coaching. An AFC scout believes the bad film is fixable and that the athlete is worth the gamble. Cisse’s ceiling is real, but the floor depends on how quickly the mental side catches up to the body.
Round 3, No. 67: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Kamari Ramsey plays safety like he is a half-second ahead of the play. He reads the quarterback’s eyes, jumps short routes early, and keeps completions from turning into big gains. That is the difference between “a catch” and “a problem.”
What really stands out is how comfortable he is in different jobs. He can play deep, drop into the box, or match up over the slot without looking lost. In man coverage, he does not shy away from tight ends, either. He stays attached, uses his hips well, and competes through the catch point.
He also has a knack for screens. Some defenders react after the ball is thrown. Ramsey looks like he is already moving before it leaves the quarterback’s hand, and he arrives with bad intentions.
The big question is the role. You want him in spots where his instincts and physicality shine, not in constant foot races in open space. Add his special teams experience and he has a clear path to earning snaps early, even before he becomes a full-time starter for new Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images