Raiders Will Depend on a Critical Department Ahead of Draft

Raiders' Next Move

Las Vegas still has room to add affordable talent in free agency, which could add experience to more positions. However, most of their attention has likely already begun to turn towards the NFL Draft. Las Vegas has 10 picks, including the No. 1 pick. They are largely expected to draft Fernando Mendoza.

The Raiders must follow up a productive offseason with an equally as productive haul in the draft. Las Vegas has a chance to add much needed depth across the board, especially with their handful of mid-round picks. For that to happen, Spytek and the Raiders need all hands on deck.

Las Vegas has a critical few weeks ahead. Much of the pre-draft work has been done by the Raiders' front office. The next few weeks between now and the end of April will likely consist of Las Vegas putting the finishing touches on its draft boards and moving forward.

Spytek recently praised the team's scouting department. He also noted how critical a part they play is in the team's success. Spytek makes the ultimate decision on who the Raiders draft and who they do not, but there is a team of scouts and other contributors involved in the overall decision.

"It's a testament to our scouts and the work that they do to build it the right way, to find the right kind of human first, and that's why I keep saying, you guys that are in Vegas with us, I believe in those guys,” Spytek said. 

“They're about the right things. That was really important to me for the first draft that I had a chance to run in Las Vegas, that we find the right kind of people because we're playing the long game here, and I'm betting on the growth that those guys will have because they're about the right things."

The Raiders' first-round pick is all but a done deal. However, the following nine picks after Mendoza's expected addition are extremely important for Spytek and the Raiders. After Las Vegas' 2025 draft class was largely held back for various reasons, the 2026 class must produce results more quickly.

Development will be a part of the Raiders' rebuild; every pick does not need to be an All-Pro right away. However, Las Vegas can expedite that rebuild by drafting correctly and finding players who can contribute sooner rather than later.