The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft after a dismal season, but the path to a championship may not require using it on a quarterback this year.
If the front office harbors any doubt about Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore, trading down could yield a haul of picks — potentially three first-rounders — and accelerate a rebuild that needs far more than one signal-caller.
Owner Mark Davis and general manager John Spytek must weigh the risk of picking the wrong quarterback against the opportunity to stockpile assets. A trade partner like the Arizona Cardinals could offer multiple first-round picks, and moving star defensive end Maxx Crosby might bring two more first-round selections.
In a scenario where the Raiders accumulate seven first-round picks over three drafts, including three in 2027 — a class draft analyst Todd McShay called “sensational” and “potentially one of the greatest quarterback classes ever” — they could trade up for a top passer next year while also adding elite talent like Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
“If there is any question about Mendoza, or Oregon’s Dante Moore, being a slam dunk, it would be disastrous to pick one for the sake of picking one because of need,” the article notes.
The Raiders could also address quarterback this year with a late-round flyer or a free agent like Malik Willis, buying time for a more certain future signal-caller.
Of course, trading the pick carries risk. The 2027 draft capital could land later in the first round if the Cardinals improve, and passing on a potential generational player could haunt the franchise. But as the article states, “It could go terribly wrong. But so could drafting a quarterback who doesn’t work out.”
Ultimately, the decision hinges on conviction. If the Raiders believe Mendoza or Moore is a superstar, they should pick him. If not, exploring a trade is not just an option — it’s a necessity.
