NFL Draft intel: Who should Raiders take with pick No. 1?

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

Once again, we're answering the biggest questions about the draft. With that in mind, here are five: 

Who should Las Vegas Raiders take with pick No. 1?

The first 18 picks of the 2026 draft are set. Vegas (3-14) owns the No. 1 pick, which it could use to take a quarterback to replace Geno Smith. The former Seattle Seahawks star threw a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts in 2025.

In his latest mock draft, The Ringer's Todd McShay has the Raiders selecting Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) instead of Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds). 

"If the Raiders brass is looking for the most NFL-ready guy who can help win games right now, it's Mendoza," wrote McShay. "But if [minority owner] Tom Brady and people in the organization have patience, the correct infrastructure in place, and play the long game, I think Moore has the greater upside as an NFL QB." 

After going 7-27 over their past 34 games, though, the Raiders should target the more pro-ready prospect in Mendoza. Through 14 games, the 2025 Heisman winner has an FBS-leading 36 touchdown passes. Moore, meanwhile, has 28 TD passes. 

Moore — a sophomore — hasn't said whether he's entering the draft. He has until Jan. 14 to make a decision. That deadline will be extended to Jan. 23 if the Ducks (13-1) beat the Hoosiers (14-0) in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Brady and Co. should keep a close eye on both QBs in that matchup.

Who else stands out for the Indiana Hoosiers? 

Mendoza has received the most attention, but he's not the only NFL prospect on Indiana's stacked roster. That includes the QB's No. 1 wide receiver, Elijah Sarratt (6-foot-2, 209 pounds).

"[Sarratt's] a high-energy player who does all the big receiver things you want to see — dominates at the catch points, stays through contact and does his part as a blocker," wrote Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema on his updated big board. "His separation rates are low, and that won't change in the NFL, but it's hard to watch this guy and not want him on your football team."

Sarratt is tied for second in the nation in TD catches (13). The WR could be even more productive when he learns how to separate better.

Is it time to stop worrying about Miami Hurricanes DE Rueben Bain Jr.'s frame?

Listed at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Bain may not look the part of an elite NFL edge-rusher. For context, Raiders DE Maxx Crosby is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds. Bain's arm length (30 3/4 inches), supposedly short by NFL standards, is already a talking point among draft followers.

But turn on his tape in the CFP, and it becomes apparent that Bain could break the mold. In two CFP games, the DE has four sacks and eight tackles.  

"Rueben Bain Jr. is the definition of a mold-breaker," wrote CBS Sports' Mike Renner before the Hurricanes beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve. "That's because he has one trump-card trait that's arguably the best I've ever scouted for a defensive end: play strength. Bain may not be the biggest or the fastest, but he's the strongest." 

Bain uses his strength to beat offensive linemen consistently. Pro Football Focus credits him with a 23.7 percent pass-rush win rate, the eighth-best mark in the FBS (min. 266 pass-rush snaps). The Hurricanes (12-2) need him to continue creating havoc in the Sugar Bowl against the Ole Miss Rebels (13-1) on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

What should Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson do after CFP flop?

Simpson (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) completed 12-of-16 passes for just 67 yards in a 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. He was pulled in favor of Austin Mack in the third quarter after suffering a rib injury. 

The QB's agent, Peter Webb, has said Simpson hasn't decided whether he'll declare for the draft. If Simpson returns to school, he may want to consider transferring, perhaps to Miami or Oregon.

Alabama may ditch Simpson for five-star freshman QB Keelon Russell after the QB failed to total more than 232 passing yards in his last five games. But Simpson, who earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2025, shouldn't let that influence his choice. He could benefit considerably from another year in college. 

"Mendoza and Moore have established themselves as the best quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft," wrote The Draft Network's Justin Melo in a story published Jan. 2. "If Simpson declares, he could potentially slide out of first-round projections." 

What will Georgia Bulldogs WR Zachariah Branch's role be in the NFL? 

On Monday, Branch (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) declared for the draft. Considering his size, the Bulldogs star may project as a gadget guy in the NFL. However, Branch reminds ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. of Baltimore Ravens standout WR Zay Flowers (5-foot-9, 183 pounds), who ranked seventh in the league in receiving yards (1,211) in 2025. 

"Branch doesn't have the ideal size, but he has a track background and is lightning quick," wrote Kiper on his updated big board. "Branch plays the game at a different speed than everyone else, and it's why he's so effective in space."