The vision is becoming clear if you’re following the Las Vegas Raiders closely ahead of the NFL draft. Two pressing needs really stand out—wide receiver and interior defensive lineman; luckily for general manager John Spytek, there will be some options to be had.
In terms of aggressiveness, Spytek has proven that the gloves have come off this offseason. However, the draft can be trickier—still, there’s no reason to think that he can’t pull off what Raiders fans are clamoring for: a Day 2 trade. The Cleveland Browns, who are also building up their own draft capital, would benefit from Spytek’s aggressiveness. A 2027 third rounder could be enough to sway them and allow the Raiders to jump from No. 102 to 70; by doing so, the Raiders will have an incredible chance to do something.
Let’s take a look at what the Silver and Black could pull off if such a scenario materializes.
- Raiders receive: Rd. 3, 70th pick
- Browns receive: Rd. 4, 102nd pick & ’27 3rd round pick
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
At this point, this is the obvious choice. Anyone else here would send shockwaves through the NFL world. That being said, it’s going to be Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders will finally have their franchise quarterback with Kirk Cousins keeping the seat warm until the Indiana superstar is ready. Speaking of Indiana, the Raiders aren’t done with the champs just yet.
Round 2, No. 36: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald is not the guy who chases quarterbacks. He is the guy who makes your entire running game feel pointless by the second quarter.
That is a rarer skill than people admit and NFL Draft season rarely stops long enough to appreciate it.
At the point of attack, he is essentially immovable. Guards bounce off him, regroup and then bounce off him again. His anchor, hand pop and shed timing do not just stop runs—they demoralize offensive lines over four quarters.
The quiet part is worth saying loud: McDonald moves better than his frame suggests. McDonald can slant, stunt, and recover from bad spots, which means coordinators cannot just leave him parked on early downs and forget about him.
He won a national title just like Mendoza; let’s face it, Spytek wants winners. He also showed up huge against Penn State and Texas when it mattered most. The Raiders would not be taking a chance. They would be cashing one in.
Round 3, No. 67: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Caleb Tiernan will never end up on a highlight reel. He will end up on a Super Bowl roster, making someone else’s possible. At 6-7, 325 pounds, he is a technical processor disguised as a football player. Wide base, tight hands, no panic. Forty-plus starts in the Big Ten have stress-tested every part of his game, and most of it held up.
The knock writes itself. Shorter arms on a tall frame create recovery debt when rushers win early. It is a real limitation, not a footnote. The case is just as straightforward. He plays tackle and also plays guard. He does not lose his assignment and he does not lose his mind in pass protection.
Smart and sturdy travel well in the NFL. The Raiders would be wise to find out.
Round 3, No. 70: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Elijah Sarratt is the receiver NFL scouts talk themselves out of and then regret at the next combine.
He does not run past anybody. He does not need to. Last season he led all 147 draft-eligible receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns against man coverage. That is not a fluke. That is a receiver who has done his homework while everyone else was busy admiring their own highlights.
A Keenan Allen comparison is earned, not flattering. Sarratt sinks his hips, snaps out of breaks, understands spacing, works creases against zone and has never fumbled once in his collegiate career. The red zone is essentially his office.
The concerns are real. Press corners give him trouble and he has no second gear down the field. Here is the thing, though. Sarratt does not need a second gear. He already knows exactly where he is going.
Let’s be real, a Mendoza and Sarratt reunion under the Raiders’ colors will “feed families,” as the kids say these days.
*Top Photo: Getty Images