Despite the fallout from the failed Maxx Crosby trade, the Las Vegas Raiders are still well-positioned for a strong 2026 NFL draft.
General manager John Spytek has shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive, but he’s also cold and calculated—he won’t make a move just for the sake of it. Day 2 could be where he does some of his best work. A pair of trades could net the Raiders a haul of talent and accelerate their rebuild. Before diving into this mock draft, here’s how some maneuvering on the second day could make it a franchise-altering one.
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Day 2 is the sweet spot for GM John Spytek…
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza won’t wow anyone on a highlight reel, but the Raiders shouldn’t care.
Las Vegas needs a signal-caller who can manage structure, process quickly and deliver the football on time—Mendoza does all three at a high level. His accuracy is legitimate, not scheme-manufactured. He attacks every level of the field with confidence, hits receivers in stride on short and intermediate routes, and holds his ground against pressure. That matters for a roster still finding its identity.
The concerns are real. Mendoza is a rhythm passer who struggles when plays break down, and his below-average mobility will demand a competent offensive line—a variable the Raiders cannot ignore.
Still, his football intelligence, mechanical soundness and competitive makeup check critical boxes for a franchise rebuilding around process over flash. For Spytek, Mendoza represents exactly the kind of calculated, high-floor investment this rebuild may need most.
Trade Alert!
- Raiders receive: Rd. 2 No. 42 pick, Rd. 3 No. 73 pick
- Saints receive: Rd. 2 No. 36, ’27 3rd round pick
Round 2, No. 42: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
D’Angelo Ponds is the kind of player that’ll split the draft room in Henderson—and that tension could work in the Raiders’ favor.
The debate is legitimate. At 5-foot-9 with shorter arms, Ponds cannot be a true boundary corner against NFL-caliber outside receivers. That limitation is structural, not developmental. Las Vegas must be clear-eyed about that ceiling before investing significant draft capital.
But the floor is quietly compelling. Ponds is an instinctive, competitive, technically sound defensive back whose zone awareness, eye discipline, and route recognition translate cleanly to a slot or nickel role at the next level. His track background and quick feet give him the recovery ability to survive in man coverage. He attacks the catch point without hesitation.
For a Raiders secondary still under construction, a Day 2 Ponds selection carries real upside, provided Spytek and his staff are drafting the player in front of them, not the one they hope he becomes.
Related: The Raiders are finally moving with purpose this offseason
Round 3, No. 67: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Derrick Moore is not a plug-and-play starter, but the Raiders shouldn’t need him to be one.
Las Vegas has prioritized building its defensive front with depth and versatility. Moore fits that model. His speed-to-power conversion is a legitimate NFL weapon—he can stress tackles with his get-off, build momentum into contact and keep his feet moving to collapse the pocket. The long-arm counter adds a wrinkle that keeps offensive linemen honest.
The limitations are clear. Moore is a liability against the run, lacks the strength to set the edge consistently and will likely be schemed off the field in key situations early in his career. That cannot be overlooked.
But as a rotational sub-package rusher with a developing counter arsenal and the athleticism to drop into coverage occasionally, Moore offers real value on a defense still establishing its identity. For Spytek, the calculus is simple—draft the projection, develop the player. It will also help he’ll have Crosby to learn from at the next level.
Trade Alert!
- Raiders receive: Rd. 3 No. 79, Rd. 4 No. 114
- Falcons receive: Rd. 3 No. 73, ’27 6th round pick
Round 3, No. 79: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
Darrell Jackson is not a glamour pick but he’s exactly what a rebuilding defense under Rob Leonard needs.
At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds with an elite wingspan, Jackson brings a rare physical profile to the interior. His anchor against the run is his calling card—he holds ground against single blocks, consumes multiple gaps when he engages early and uses his length to locate and shed before ball carriers can find daylight. The improvement in his missed tackle rate in 2025 signals a player who responds to coaching and takes his deficiencies seriously.
The pass-rush ceiling remains the honest question. A reliable bull rush offers some passing-down utility, but Jackson is an early-down specialist at this stage, and projecting beyond that requires patience.
For the Raiders, that may be enough. Las Vegas needs bodies up front who can establish the line of scrimmage on Day 1. Jackson can do that immediately—and that kind of certainty has real value in a rebuild.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images