Raiders Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Round 1 
The Raiders have struggled at the quarterback position since Derek Carr last took them to the playoffs, and Las Vegas has had a huge amount of turnover at the position. That turnover is due to owner Mark Davis making a lot of bad decisions with his hires at general manager and head coach, which have led to constant changes at quarterback. After landing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders had the decision made easy for them with the selection of Mendoza. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mendoza has good size, a strong arm, and upside to be an effective pro starter.
Mendoza is a polished pocket passer with a strong arm, good size, and is very intelligent. There is no doubt that Mendoza has a power arm capable of firing fastballs into tight windows to beat good coverage, and the ability to easily push the ball vertically down the field. Mendoza has advanced and impressive ball placement, as he is superb at throwing back shoulder and fade passes. With superb location, Mendoza routinely puts the ball where his receiver can make a play, or the pass will go incomplete. Mendoza does a great job of avoiding interceptions, and it was very rare to see him make an interception-worthy throw in 2025. With good accuracy, Mendoza is capable of beating tight coverage with the location of his passes.
Mendoza is a polished pocket passer with good height. He reads the field well and works through his progressions. While Mendoza has some athleticism to avoid sacks and scramble, he is not a true running threat. When he takes off and runs, Mendoza shows some surprising straight-line speed, but he is not a dual-threat quarterback for the NFL. As a pocket passer, Mendoza does show toughness as he hangs tough in the pocket, is not afraid of getting hit, and continues to battle even after he takes some shots.
The key for Mendoza to be successful in the NFL will be to build up the talent around him. I think general manager John Spytek has screwed up two straight drafts with his decision to pass on potentially good wide receivers like Luther Burden and Denzel Boston. Las Vegas also did not add legitimate veteran competition at right tackle to keep pass rushers out of Mendoza’s face. If Mendoza is a bust, it will probably be because the Raiders organization failed him. If they do a nice job of helping him, I think Mendoza will become a solid starter for Las Vegas.
2025: Jack Bech, WR
2024: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C
2023: Tyree Wilson, DE
2022: Dylan Parham, G
2021: Trevon Moehrig, S
2020: Damon Arnette, CB
2019: Johnathan Abram, S
2018: Kolton Miller, OT
2017: Obi Melifonwu, S
2016: Shilique Calhoun, DE
2015: Clive Walford, TE
2014: Gabe Jackson, G
2013: Sio Moore, LB
Most Likely To Bust
Trey Zuhn, C/G, Texas A&M – Round 3
The Raiders took Zuhn in the third round, and I think that was a questionable pick. At times with the Aggies, Zuhn was picked on by SEC pass rushers. Moving inside from tackle should help him, but I don’t think Zuhn is going to end up becoming a starter over Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and others. Third-round picks are expected to be backups with the potential to become starters, and I think Zuhn will top out as a backup only.
2025: Caleb Rogers, OT
2024: Delmar Glaze, OT
2023: Tre Tucker, WR
2022: None
2021: Divine Deablo, LB
2020: Tanner Muse, LB
2019: Trayvon Mullen, CB
2018: Arden Key, DE
2017: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT
2016: Jihad Ward, DE
2015: Mario Edwards, DT
2014: Derek Carr, QB
2013: D.J. Hayden, CB
Potential Boom Pick
NONEI think Mendoza is going to be a solid starter for the Raiders if they don’t fail him with a poor supporting cast. Second-round pick Treydan Stukes and third-round pick Keyron Crawford could become solid pros, but I don’t see boom pick potential with either of them. Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy does have boom pick potential, but with his medical issues, it seems questionable to project him as a boom pick.
2025: Ashton Jeanty, RB
2024: Brock Bowers, TE
2023: Michael Mayer, TE
2022: None
2021: Alex Leatherwood, OT
2020: Henry Ruggs, WR
2019: Josh Jacobs, RB
2018: Nick Nelson, CB
2017: Gareon Conley, CB
2016: Karl Joseph, S
2015: Amari Cooper, WR
2014: Khalil Mack, LB
2013: Menelik Watson, OT
Future Depth Player
Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas – Round 4 
The Raiders are not in the market for a starting running back after taking Ashton Jeanty with the sixth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Las Vegas was in need of some depth behind him, and they snatched up Washington in the fourth round.
Washington has the talent to be a starter or a good No. 2 back in the NFL. The combination of size and speed really jumps out with Washington as he has sprinter’s speed in the open field with a strong build. Washington needs a few steps to get going, but he has a second gear when he hits the second level with serious acceleration to run away from defenders. Washington has the bulk and power to run through arm tackles and pick up yards after contact. Washington shows quality vision, balance, and feel as a runner.
In the passing game, Washington moves well in space and shows nice athleticism as a receiver. He has soft hands and adjusts well for a big back. With the challenges of NFL defenses, Washington is going to need some development as a pass protector.
In the running game, Washington has some things to improve for the pros. He has had some problems with fumbles the past couple of seasons, so improving ball security is necessary. Washington also could stand to improve his knee bend, as he will run upright at times. That is a common issue for tall running backs. Washington has the talent to be a backup that develops into a starter.
The Raiders don’t need Washington to become a starter, and he could be an excellent backup to Jeanty.
2025: Charles Grant, OT
2024: Tommy Eichenberg, LB
2023: Aidan O’Connell, QB
2022: Zamir White, RB
2021: Malcolm Koonce, DE
2020: Lynn Bowden, WR
2019: Hunter Renfrow, WR
2018: Maurice Hurst, DT
2017: David Sharpe, OT
2016: Connor Cook, QB
2015: Jon Feliciano, G
2014: Keith McGill, CB
2013: Tyler Wilson, QB
