HENDERSON, NV — The Las Vegas Raiders are done playing games at the top of the board. With Mike Sullivan back to coach the quarterbacks and the clock ticking toward April, everyone knows the name: Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman winner is the locked-in choice at No. 1 overall. But the draft isn’t won on Thursday night; it’s won by the blue-collar grinders selected on Friday and Saturday who keep a rookie quarterback from seeing stars.
The Shield: DJ Campbell, Texas (G)
If the Raiders want Mendoza to survive his first year, they need a brick wall in front of him. DJ Campbell is that wall. This isn’t a flashy pick, but successful teams don’t draft for clicks. Campbell stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 321 pounds, bringing a massive frame that swallowed up SEC defenders throughout 2025. He isn’t some raw project; he started 43 games at right guard for the Longhorns. That experience matters.
The Raiders already grabbed Tyler Linderbaum in free agency to anchor the center spot. Adding Campbell at pick 102 or 117 turns the interior of the line into a no-fly zone. He wins in tight spaces. When he locks those heavy hands onto a defensive tackle, the rep is over. For a young passer like Mendoza, a clean pocket isn’t a luxury—it’s a requirement. Campbell provides that security from day one.
The Ball Hawk: A.J. Haulcy, LSU (S)
Defense wins championships, but turnovers win games. The Raiders’ secondary still feels like a work in progress despite recent trades. A.J. Haulcy changes the entire personality of the back end. At 6-foot-0 and 222 pounds, he hits like a linebacker but tracks the ball like a center fielder. He racked up 49 solo tackles and three interceptions for the Tigers last season, proving he can thrive in the brightest lights.
Haulcy typically slides into the late second or early third round. With the Raiders holding picks 36 and 67, the math is simple. He fills the need for a free safety who can actually find the football. Taking a quarterback at No. 1 is only half the battle; you have to give him a defense that can get the ball back. Haulcy does exactly that by closing passing windows and punishing receivers who venture across the middle.
The Safety Net: Chris Bell, Louisville (WR)
Every rookie quarterback needs a “standard” target—the guy who is open even when he isn’t. Chris Bell is a physical mismatch at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. He caught 72 passes for 917 yards in 2025, and while a late-season ACL tear might cause a slide, the Raiders should be the ones to catch him. He isn’t a gadget player; he’s a chain-mover.
The Silver and Black already have weapons like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Adding Bell gives Mendoza a big-bodied target who specializes in contested catches. Think of him as the ultimate insurance policy. If the pocket breaks down or the timing is off, Mendoza can just launch it toward Bell’s zip code and let the big man go to work. He’s a Day 3 steal with WR1 potential once he’s fully healthy.
“The better quarterback will be the one this team chooses. Our job is to make sure whoever is back there has the tools to win. It’s about the guys in the trenches and the guys making plays on the perimeter.”
— Ashton Jeanty, Raiders Running Back
Draft Outlook: Building the Foundation
Las Vegas isn’t looking for a single miracle player. They are looking for the right mix. By targeting Campbell, Haulcy, and Bell, the Raiders shift from “winning the night” to “winning the next three years.” These players offer the physical toughness and college production that match Klint Kubiak’s offensive philosophy. The strategy is clear: secure the franchise centerpiece at No. 1, then spend the rest of the weekend making sure he never has to carry the load alone. If the Raiders nail these mid-round picks, the AFC West should be on high alert.
