Las Vegas Raiders shouldn't have a hard time making a decision they've struggled to make the last 3 years in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders have put off drafting a quarterback for the last three years. Well, that’s the reasonable time frame we can use, since that’s when Derek Carr, the last franchise quarterback, was on the team. They desperately need to get one in the building, because Geno Smith, the former Seattle Seahawks QB, is not who Pete Carroll thought he was

It’s time to finally make that decision and actually give the fan base something to look forward to. There are a handful of QBs in the 2026 NFL Draft that would be perfect for the Raiders, whether it’s drafting them early in the draft, or getting a project in the latter rounds to sit behind Smith for 2026. Whatever it is they want to do, as long as they take a QB, they will have some sort of avenue to do so.

Raiders’ 2025 NFL Draft class

• Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
• Round 2, Pick 58: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
• Round 3, Pick 68: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
• Round 3, Pick 98: Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech
• Round 3, Pick 99: Charles Grant, DE, William & Mary
• Round 4, Pick 108: Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
• Round 4, Pick 135: Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
• Round 6, Pick 180: JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
• Round 6, Pick 213: Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State
• Round 6, Pick 215: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State
• Round 7, Pick 222: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota

2026 NFL Draft quarterbacks for the Raiders to keep an eye on

Taylen Green, Arkansas

The stats aren’t otherworldly, and the decision making certainly needs some work, but the potential, and the athletic ability is some of the best you will see in this class. Not to mention, Green is about 6’6” and can probably run a 4.40 40-yard dash. His running ability, paired with his ability to escape sacks in the pocket while rolling out, is his best trait. He can make every throw, but he cannot make every throw consistently, and will oftentimes go for the jugular when he doesn’t need to. Taking the easy check down as something that’s okay is something that will have to be seared into his brain. 

Throwing on the run, Green is fantastic at, however, sometimes he doesn’t know whether he actually wants to throw it or tuck it and run. And when the Razorbacks are running a ton of zone and read option stuff, he’s as dangerous a runner as anyone in the entire country. He’s got 18 passing touchdowns with 2,100 passing yards to go along with 600 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. The only issue is that he also has eight interceptions and one fumble. But, the potential is there. Green is a guy that will certainly have to sit a year before he will be NFL ready. But, getting him on Day 3 would be huge for the Raiders.

Jayden Maiava, USC

When you turn on the tape for every single quarterback that’s draft-eligible right now, Maiava will have maybe the most impressive throws on there. Sure, he won’t have the most impressive, but he will have the most impressive, meaning, more impressive throws than any other quarterback. 

It helps that he’s throwing to two of the best wide receivers in the country in Makai Lemon and Jakobi Lane, but Maiava has that it-factor to him, too. Maiava can use his legs, and throwing on there run isn’t hard for him at all. However, he does tend to have some mental lapses, which is fixable. The potential is great, and the arm talent is through the roof.

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Even though his numbers aren’t good, he may be the best quarterback in the country, or at least the one most likely to go No. 1 overall in the draft. His numbers look poor because every time he drops back, he’s running for his life. There may not be a worse offensive line in college football than the one he has, and yet, he’s still making insane plays every single game. Sellers’ best attribute is what he can do in the pocket. 

He has an incredible sense of awareness of what’s around him while he’s in the pocket, and don’t even get me started on how easily he shakes off defensive linemen. Sellers could go No. 1 overall, and he could play in the NFL as a rookie, but pretty much all of the QBs on this list would be better off sitting their first season.