Mock Draft addressing defense, quarterback, and offensive line
The Las Vegas Raiders will head into the off-season with a need at pretty much every single position and there’s a situation where they could be going into the off-season with a brand new head coach for the third year in a row. The Raiders have a long uphill battle to becoming a relevant team, and then beyond that a competitive team as well. Las Vegas will have a plethora of draft picks and cap space and they’ll need to be aggressive this off-season in adding talent to complete the roster to become somewhat competitive going forward into 2026.
Round 1, 2nd Overall – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The Raiders clearly need to add a potential franchise quarterback this off-season and Mendoza can fit that criteria. The former Cal and current Indiana signal caller has been a standout in 2025 with a 72% completion rate (84% adjusted), 2980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Additionally he has a 6.2% big time throw rate and just 9 turnover worthy plays. Mendoza has a sensational arm with good ability to complete multiple NFL caliber throws, layer passes, complete bucket passes, and do so with good touch and high end accuracy. Mendoza showcases the traits to work in the NFL and while he does need a little development, most rookies QBs will to be an impact player year one. The Raiders could be jumped if they don’t land the first overall pick and potentially miss out on Mendoza. At 6’5, 225 he also showcases exceptional size and good movement and pocket awareness.
Round 2, 33rd Overall – T Gennings Dunker, Iowa
The Raiders will need to add to their offensive line this season and despite adding talent with Caleb Rogers, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, and Charles Grant to both the tackle, center, and guard rooms they’ll still need to add more talent going forward. Glaze has struggled at right tackle and likely will kick into guard, Rogers has shown some good film in his limited time, and it’s time for Grant to get his opportunity though he showcases good initial skills and athleticism to work. Las Vegas will need to continue adding to the room till things can get set, and Dunker does that. The 6’6/315 Iowa product has good athletic skills, experience at both tackle spots and guard, along with incredible strength. Dunker is an exceptional run blocker and wins with his natural strength and athletic ability, he’ll need some work at times but athletically he’s going to translate to the NFL and would help to anchor the Raiders at RT though a move to guard could also be in his future to capitalize on the run game.
Round 3, 67th Overall – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The Raiders have a safety issue, Jeremy Chinn has excelled in the nickel role and they’ll need to add talent at both free and strong this off-season with Isaiah Pola-Mao likely not projecting much going forward. McNeil-Warren looks to be up next with the Toledo NFL pipeline after Quinyon Mitchell became an elite CB just a few years back. McNeil-Warren logged 73 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 INT, 4 PBU, a touchdown, and 3 FF this season. On his career he has 5 INT, 12 PBU, 9 forced fumbles, and 210 tackles to pair with a career 57.4 QBR allowed and just a 10% missed tackle rate as well. He’s a highly athletic safety at 6’2, 210 with exceptional range, ball skills, instincts, and run defense traits. McNeil-Warren could rise quickly given his overall ability but the Toledo product showcases every trait to be a top NFL safety going forward in the NFL. Las Vegas would love the opportunity to add an elite playmaker in the backend to help develop the secondary.
Round 4, 102nd Overall – ILB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
The son of NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr and brother of Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Josiah projects to follow in their footsteps. The Missouri product has logged 176 tackles, 17 TFL, 2.5 sacks, an INT, 3 PBU, and a FF in his last two seasons including 13 TFL in 2025. Additionally, Trotter has just an 8% missed tackle rate and a 107.7 QBR allowed in coverage with an 90% completion rate against. At 6’2, 240 Trotter moves with exceptional fluidity in his lower body, elite sideline to sideline range, and high end instincts to pair with athletic skills. Trotter is still raw in coverage but showcases the elite athleticism and instincts to develop and translate in the NFL. He’s a high end LB prospect who showcases an ability to be a day one impact player in the run game with a lot of room to grow going forward. At just 21 years old, he’d fit well into the Raiders LB room which is currently lacking talent with Devin White, Elandon Roberts, and Jamal Adams struggling to find any footing going forward into 2026.
Round 4, 111th Overall (via JAX) – EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
Moore is following in the footsteps of Michigan’s pass rushers in the NFL, he’s logged 93 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 21 sacks, 8 PBU, 3 FR, and 3 FF in his career. In addition he’s added 118 pressures (41 pressures), 59 stops, a career 18.5% win rate (21.9% in 2025), and 12% run stop win rate (15.8% in 2025). Moore has a good frame at 6’3/250, with an exceptional first step and initial burst while showcasing good bend and twitch at the point of attack. Moore has good strength and athletic ability to pair with each other along with the hand traits and physical profile to be successful at the NFL level. Moore will need to develop more as a run defender and find consistency at times as well with his pass rush ability. Las Vegas needs to add talent this year at their EDGE position opposite of Maxx Crosby with Malcolm Koonce being subpar and Tyree Wilson looking like a third pass rusher in the NFL. Moore won’t have super high expectations but he can continue to add to the room.
Round 4, 136th Overall (comp) – CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
Demmings is going to rise quickly, and likely become one of the top FCS products to be drafted this year. FCS CB have found good success recently in the NFL, and Demmings will continue that trend. The 6’2, 190 CB has a 4.38 40 with elite tackle skills and strong coverage ability as well. In his 5 year career, he’s logged a career 9 INT (4 in 2025), 31 PBU (9 in 2025), and just 14 missed tackles including one in 2025. Demmings has fluid hips, quick feet, and exceptional athletic traits. He’s a physical CB that has a ton of experience and at 23 years old has an advanced understanding of the defensive systems he plays in along with offensive concepts. The Raiders have Darien Porter who’s done well as a rookie but lack much in other areas, adding more talent at cornerback will never be a bad idea and Demmings profiles as a high upside player with his blend of technique, instincts, production, and athleticism.
Round 5, 173rd Overall (comp) – IOL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Rutledge has logged a career 3000 snaps where he’s allowed just 3 sacks and 35 pressures including an outstanding 0 sacks and 5 pressures in 2025. Rutledge has a good frame at 6’4/330 and will test well which pairs with his ability to have a quick first step off the LOS, good strength and anchor in his lower body, and fluid movements in the open field. Rutledge has played all but 50 snaps at RG and likely going forward that will be his position though he is expected to get some work at center in the senior and shrine bowl as well. Rutledge has good pairings of power, hand strength, size, hip and foot movement, along with highly refined technique to translate to the NFL. Rutledge struggles in certain phases and likely projects as a high floor, low ceiling product in the NFL.
Round 6, 183rd Overall – WR Cooper Barkate, Duke
Barkate has a Harvard and Duke degree and in that span 181 receptions, 2795 yards, and 20 touchdowns with 1056 yards and 6 TD in 2025. The 6’2, 195 receiver has worked almost exclusively outside with just 20% of his snaps coming in the slot. Barkate is an explosive athlete with a 4.42 40 and an incredible first step and initial quickness off the LOS and through his breaks. Barkate has soft natural hands but he does struggle at times with drops (8.6% career rate) though he also has the ability to go outside of his frame and make big time catches with a career 57% contested catch rate. Barkate is a sharp route runner, with the ability to get open both via his speed and route running. Las Vegas has Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and really nothing else so adding a free agent will be the key along with adding more younger talent in the draft. Barkate will provide more depth and a higher floor to the receiver room.
Round 6, 187th Overall (via JAX) – DT Ahmad Moten Sr, Miami (FL)
Moten projects as a true nose tackle and the 21 year old stands 6’4/330 with a career 16.2% run stop win rate with an impressive 11.2% pass rush win rate as well. Moten Sr has 42 career pressures, 23 stops, 11 TFL, 5.5 sacks, and 43 tackles. Moten has incredible strength, an elite ability to anchor and utilize leverage. Moten also works well in his athletic skills having good movement skills, and relatively above average bend and twitch for someone his size. The Raiders lack a true nose tackle and while they likely will sign one in free agency as well, they’ll need to add another this off-season to try and add the traditional 0-2 tech required in the NFL to have a successful run defense in situations. JJ Pegues can translate back to his 3 tech role similar to Ole Miss instead of forcing him into the NT role the Raiders are attempting too right now.
Round 7, 217th Overall – CB Devon Marshall, NC State
Marshall’s name may sound familiar likely to his 2 INT, 7 PBU game vs Florida State. The former Villanova CB, Marshall has 83 tackles, 4 INT, 23 PBU, and 2 FF in his two seasons at NC State and looks to project as a quality nickel cornerback in the NFL. The 5’11, 193 defender isn’t the best athlete overall and does struggle at times with consistently keeping with defenders downfield though he does well in his short yardage situations. Marshall has a career 4 INT, 39 PBU and does showcase an exceptional ability to make a play on the ball with good instincts vs the run game as a strong tackler in open space. Marshall has fluid movement skills, but overall doesn’t likely provide a high ceiling defender and could be limited to ST and depth in the NFL. With 1800 of his career snaps coming on the boundary, a move to the nickel could be tough at first though Marshall likely will need to in order to limit his long speed limitations and capitalize on his run defense and short area quickness.
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