Ranking the Raiders' 3 Best Draft Selections

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (left) is interviewed by John Tournour aka JT the Brick at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ranking the Raiders' 3 Best Draft Selections

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Fernando Alfaro-Donis | Last updated Apr 29, 2026 9:00 AM ET

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It's been a couple of days since the Las Vegas Raiders completed their 2026 draft class, and it's still hard to come down from the excitement over all of the prospects they selected. It isn't over either; they still have ample opportunity to add anyone they're interested in through all of the undrafted free agents.

John Spytek and Klint Kubiak should be making the most of these undrafted free agents to add to an already strong incoming wave of new faces to their team. What were their top 3 selections in the draft?

Top 3 Selections

Jermod McCoy

Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Raiders took Jermod McCoy at the top of the fourth round, and this was a home-run pick on behalf of their front office. McCoy is a top-ten talent in this draft class, who only fell that far after an ACL tear. That injury isn't something to scoff at, but it's also no reason not to take a gamble on his upside.

The Raiders were the team that understood this, and if he plays anything as he did in college, the Raiders got their cornerback of the future on Day 3. His athleticism and traits can't be taught. Paired with his quick feet and hips, he gives them insane value at a position where they were lacking depth.

Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Mike Washington Jr.

It may be that I'm a big fan of what the Raiders did in the fourth round, but following up on that McCoy selection by taking Mike Washington Jr. was a huge pickup. Kubiak was outspoken this offseason on how he wanted to get more help for Ashton Jeanty in the run game.

Washington Jr. is coming off a 1,000-yard campaign and has scored 8 touchdowns in the last two seasons, respectively. He has the size needed to be a hard-hitting inside runner, but he has the speed to be able to run it outside for big gains. He's a good complementary piece and is by far their next-best running back on the roster.

Best Pick of the Draft

Fernando Mendoza

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Was it ever in question? I still get goosebumps watching his introductory press conference, knowing that the future of the Silver and Black is in his hands. He has a good mentor in Kirk Cousins ahead of him and a front office that is fully bought into his development.

Fernando Mendoza is the best pick the Raiders could've made because it gives them something this franchise hasn't had in a long time. Hope. Hope for a better future, and one day bringing the Lombardi trophy home.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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