LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2026 — The NFL regular season has effectively ended for 18 teams, and for the Las Vegas Raiders, the offseason begins with a franchise-altering decision. For the first time since the infamous JaMarcus Russell selection in 2007, the Silver and Black hold the keys to the draft.
With the order for non-playoff teams largely set, the focus shifts entirely to April 23. The narrative is clear: desperate teams are hunting for identity, and the college football landscape has provided a fresh crop of answers.
The Raiders’ Reset Button
The Raiders have officially hit rock bottom, but the view from the No. 1 spot offers a glimmer of hope. The consensus is growing rapidly around Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The 6-foot-5 pocket passer has surged up boards, largely due to intangibles that reportedly appeal to minority owner Tom Brady. Mendoza isn’t just a stats machine; he’s a “prolific pocket passing winner.” After years of instability under center, Vegas appears ready to bet the house on the Hoosier to exorcise the ghosts of busts past.
A New York State of Mind
Both New York franchises sit inside the top three, and both are looking to the Big Ten to solve their identity crises.
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At No. 2, the Giants are pivoting away from the quarterback carousel to cement their defense. Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is the target—a rangy, 243-pound enforcer designed to fix the gaping holes in the Giants’ second level.
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At No. 3, the Jets are finally turning the page. The Aaron Rodgers experiment and the Justin Fields injury saga left the roster in tatters. Enter Oregon’s Dante Moore. Possessing a lethal arm and the leadership DNA the locker room desperately lacks, Moore represents a hard reset for a franchise exhausted by veteran stopgaps.
The Post-Trade Fallout
The ripple effects of massive 2025 trades are heavily influencing this draft board. The Dallas Cowboys, picking at No. 14, are still reeling from the blockbuster trade of Micah Parsons. Their priority is clear: finding a new edge presence. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk (6-6, 285 lbs) fits the bill as a high-upside disruptor who can anchor a defensive line in desperate need of juice.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins (No. 11) are seeking a replacement for Jalen Ramsey, looking toward Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy to bring physicality back to their secondary.
The Rich Get Richer?
Perhaps the most terrifying prospect for the rest of the league is the Kansas City Chiefs picking at No. 9. With Chris Jones’ dominance fading, the Chiefs are eyeing Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Plugging a 315-pound run-stuffing mauler with pass-rush upside into a Steve Spagnuolo defense is a luxury few teams can afford, but one Kansas City desperately needs to maintain its dynasty.
