The Way Too Early Grade The Draft Thread
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Attyla
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The Way Too Early Grade The Draft Thread
D+ we did not get our number one WR LOL
Actually, I like this draft, Spytek moved around a lot and got us some nice pieces. We did not get everything but it feels like Raiderland Christmas.
So let's see those overreaction grades. I know, I know, you cannot grade a draft for 3 years. Boo f[raiders_icon]cking Hoo. Lighten up Francis and grade this glorious weekend.
Mendoza by himself does not get us an A but the rest of the group certainly has to impress when put together. McCoy if he heals up makes the robber barons of the draft.
And there will be UDFAs and post draft pickups and drops. Tyree is going, well eventually, I mean the door s 40 yards away so it will take some time.
Grade A- but if McCoy pans out the grade could change.
Actually, I like this draft, Spytek moved around a lot and got us some nice pieces. We did not get everything but it feels like Raiderland Christmas.
So let's see those overreaction grades. I know, I know, you cannot grade a draft for 3 years. Boo f[raiders_icon]cking Hoo. Lighten up Francis and grade this glorious weekend.
Mendoza by himself does not get us an A but the rest of the group certainly has to impress when put together. McCoy if he heals up makes the robber barons of the draft.
And there will be UDFAs and post draft pickups and drops. Tyree is going, well eventually, I mean the door s 40 yards away so it will take some time.
Grade A- but if McCoy pans out the grade could change.
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Willmark
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From the look of it they addressed nearly every need and knew we couldn't fix everything right away.
That said outside of our WRs there is now a lot of talent at every level. Not perfect mind you but talented.
That said outside of our WRs there is now a lot of talent at every level. Not perfect mind you but talented.
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SkullCrusher
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Leaving out what should be a franchise QB, felt like a good draft to me.
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WNYRAIDER
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....seems like a very strong draft.....
.....hearing the guys compare our new Dt to other 'names' ranked higher than him at that position has me feeling better about the middle of our d line....
....and I think that we will have a much better feeling about last years draft before too long,. now that we have competent coaching....
.....hearing the guys compare our new Dt to other 'names' ranked higher than him at that position has me feeling better about the middle of our d line....
....and I think that we will have a much better feeling about last years draft before too long,. now that we have competent coaching....
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JP808
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My take is that this was a culture setting draft. In addition to Mendoza, all these picks were high character humans. This draft has Spytek and Kubiak fingerprints all over it. With the holes this team needed to fill it feels like they just went BPA.
I’m not well versed on player evaluation but I give this draft a B. In terms of building a team culture it’s an A.
In Spytek we Trust.
I’m not well versed on player evaluation but I give this draft a B. In terms of building a team culture it’s an A.
In Spytek we Trust.
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Sir Raider Duck, OMS
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I think we're all in agreement that it was a good-to-excellent draft.
Now onto to the UDFA signings.
Now onto to the UDFA signings.
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DanKD
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Easy A for this draft from me as of today. I'm not separating Mendoza from the other picks though.
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Raider_Dave
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Great draft. We got speed, and we got speed that can play football and were drafted appropriately. Not like when Al would take a speed guy who wasn't a good football player.
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islandboy
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mranquales wrote: Sat Apr 25, 2026 3:30 pm We wait until the 4th round to go BPA. Too little, too late.
THE BROWNS GOT TAYLEN GREEN!
The only player that will start is the safety. Everyone else is depth at best. If it weren't for Mendoza, it would be one of the worst drafts of all time.
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Jeevo
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No complaints about any of the picks. Love a few of them, think McCoy was worth it on a risk/reward basis, wondering if in a few years Z3 (no?) will be seen as a big steal.
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mranquales
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The only positive is that Thorton has another chance to be a marquee player for us.
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islandboy
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Was optimistic about last years draft. But after learning about the dysfunction between Pete and Spy it makes me wonder about the quality and football character of the 25 picks. Hoping that Spy used the same philosophy drafting the 25 class and Pete did not develop the class since they were not his hand picked guys and Klint can develop them.
The 26 class leaves no doubt Spy and Klint are on the same page and have a real plan to build and develop the team.
Common theme with this years picks:
-No picks were reaches
-Each pick, besides FM, was good value for the pick#
-High Character and Football IQ
-Many of the picks were captains
-Love of football
Very good to great potential. But it is potential currently, now it is time for them to prove how good the Class of 26 will be.
Good job Spy and Klint.
The 26 class leaves no doubt Spy and Klint are on the same page and have a real plan to build and develop the team.
Common theme with this years picks:
-No picks were reaches
-Each pick, besides FM, was good value for the pick#
-High Character and Football IQ
-Many of the picks were captains
-Love of football
Very good to great potential. But it is potential currently, now it is time for them to prove how good the Class of 26 will be.
Good job Spy and Klint.
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RunOverByHubbard
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This could be Exhibit A for definition of "Trolling." But you got the responses you wanted, including mine.mranquales wrote: Sat Apr 25, 2026 3:30 pm We wait until the 4th round to go BPA. Too little, too late.
THE BROWNS GOT TAYLEN GREEN!
The only player that will start is the safety. Everyone else is depth at best. If it weren't for Mendoza, it would be one of the worst drafts of all time.
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RunOverByHubbard
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PFF gave us an A-
Mendoza: There was little suspense about who Las Vegas would select with the first overall pick. Mendoza is coming off an elite 2025 season for the Hoosiers, where he led all FBS quarterbacks in PFF Wins Above Average (WAA). The 22-year-old quarterback and new head coach Klint Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl title, will look to build a new offensive foundation after the Raiders ranked 31st in expected points added (EPA) per play last season.
Stukes: Stukes worked his way from walk-on to starter and projects best as a hybrid slot defender. While he lacks top-tier athleticism for outside roles, his instincts and playmaking ability stand out.
Crawford: Crawford earned a 76.3 PFF overall grade in 2025, ranking 166th among edge defenders, with his impact driven by his pass rush, where he ranked 48th in PFF pass-rush grade (85.8) and generated 43 pressures, including five sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 26 hurries. His 73.9 PFF run-defense grade ranked 237th, and he added 23 solo tackles and one forced fumble across the season.
Zuhn: Zuhn stands out as one of the cleaner pass protectors in college football, though his run blocking lags behind, and his shorter arms project a move inside to guard despite extensive SEC experience. He measured 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds and paired that size with strong testing, including a 5.00 40-yard dash (89th percentile), 2.83 20-yard split (96th percentile) and 1.70 10-yard split (94th percentile), along with 33 bench reps, a 32-inch vertical (90th percentile) and a 9-foot-3 broad jump (86th percentile). He earned an elite 96.8 pass-blocking grade in 2025 and allowed two sacks, one hit and seven hurries across 435 pass-blocking snaps.
McCoy: McCoy's medical evaluations will be critical, but based on his measurables and 2024 tape, he profiles as a first-round talent with shutdown potential in press-man coverage.
Washington: Washington brings alluring size, straight-line speed and yards-after-contact potential as a power back, but also noticeably good vision and footwork to be a potential early-down back in a committee in a man- or gap-scheme run game.
Johnson: Johnson delivered his best performance in his final college season, earning an 84.8 PFF grade in 2025 across 771 snaps, with a 71.8 run-defense grade, 74.9 pass-rush grade and 88.6 coverage grade. In coverage, he allowed 25 receptions for 206 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets, while recording four interceptions and five pass breakups, with a 37.8 passer rating allowed. He added 15 defensive stops against the run, including two tackles for loss or no gain on 373 run-defense snaps. His usage showed versatility, with 271 snaps in the box, 247 at free safety, 233 in the slot and three at cornerback. He measured 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds at his pro day and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash — good speed for the position.
Masses: Masses projects best as a zone-oriented cornerback, where he can attack the ball before it reaches the receiver, as evidenced by his 24% forced incompletion rate in those looks last season. However, sub-66.0 PFF run-defense grades in both 2024 and 2025 highlight limitations against the run, and adding weight while improving physicality will be key to establishing a starting role.
Benson: Benson has a lighter frame at 6 feet and 189 pounds, but his quickness projects well to the slot. He showed his best production at Oregon in 2025, where he earned a 75.6 PFF receiving grade and posted a 2.3% drop rate. His downfield ability stands out as a key strength, as he earned a 97.0-plus receiving grade on targets 10 or more yards downfield.
Cleveland: Cleveland is a technically sound nose tackle who understands leverage and angles, particularly against double teams. He lacks elite strength and explosiveness but profiles as a dependable depth player who can handle interior dirty work.
Mendoza: There was little suspense about who Las Vegas would select with the first overall pick. Mendoza is coming off an elite 2025 season for the Hoosiers, where he led all FBS quarterbacks in PFF Wins Above Average (WAA). The 22-year-old quarterback and new head coach Klint Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl title, will look to build a new offensive foundation after the Raiders ranked 31st in expected points added (EPA) per play last season.
Stukes: Stukes worked his way from walk-on to starter and projects best as a hybrid slot defender. While he lacks top-tier athleticism for outside roles, his instincts and playmaking ability stand out.
Crawford: Crawford earned a 76.3 PFF overall grade in 2025, ranking 166th among edge defenders, with his impact driven by his pass rush, where he ranked 48th in PFF pass-rush grade (85.8) and generated 43 pressures, including five sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 26 hurries. His 73.9 PFF run-defense grade ranked 237th, and he added 23 solo tackles and one forced fumble across the season.
Zuhn: Zuhn stands out as one of the cleaner pass protectors in college football, though his run blocking lags behind, and his shorter arms project a move inside to guard despite extensive SEC experience. He measured 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds and paired that size with strong testing, including a 5.00 40-yard dash (89th percentile), 2.83 20-yard split (96th percentile) and 1.70 10-yard split (94th percentile), along with 33 bench reps, a 32-inch vertical (90th percentile) and a 9-foot-3 broad jump (86th percentile). He earned an elite 96.8 pass-blocking grade in 2025 and allowed two sacks, one hit and seven hurries across 435 pass-blocking snaps.
McCoy: McCoy's medical evaluations will be critical, but based on his measurables and 2024 tape, he profiles as a first-round talent with shutdown potential in press-man coverage.
Washington: Washington brings alluring size, straight-line speed and yards-after-contact potential as a power back, but also noticeably good vision and footwork to be a potential early-down back in a committee in a man- or gap-scheme run game.
Johnson: Johnson delivered his best performance in his final college season, earning an 84.8 PFF grade in 2025 across 771 snaps, with a 71.8 run-defense grade, 74.9 pass-rush grade and 88.6 coverage grade. In coverage, he allowed 25 receptions for 206 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets, while recording four interceptions and five pass breakups, with a 37.8 passer rating allowed. He added 15 defensive stops against the run, including two tackles for loss or no gain on 373 run-defense snaps. His usage showed versatility, with 271 snaps in the box, 247 at free safety, 233 in the slot and three at cornerback. He measured 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds at his pro day and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash — good speed for the position.
Masses: Masses projects best as a zone-oriented cornerback, where he can attack the ball before it reaches the receiver, as evidenced by his 24% forced incompletion rate in those looks last season. However, sub-66.0 PFF run-defense grades in both 2024 and 2025 highlight limitations against the run, and adding weight while improving physicality will be key to establishing a starting role.
Benson: Benson has a lighter frame at 6 feet and 189 pounds, but his quickness projects well to the slot. He showed his best production at Oregon in 2025, where he earned a 75.6 PFF receiving grade and posted a 2.3% drop rate. His downfield ability stands out as a key strength, as he earned a 97.0-plus receiving grade on targets 10 or more yards downfield.
Cleveland: Cleveland is a technically sound nose tackle who understands leverage and angles, particularly against double teams. He lacks elite strength and explosiveness but profiles as a dependable depth player who can handle interior dirty work.
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RunOverByHubbard
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Sports Illustrated:
Grade: B
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Round 2, No. 38: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
Round 3, No. 67: Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn
Round 3, No. 91: Trey Zuhn III, IOL, Texas A&M
Round 4, No. 101: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Round 4, No. 122: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Round 5, No. 150: Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
Round 5, No. 175: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Round 6, No. 195: Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
Round 7, No. 229: Brandon Cleveland, DT, North Carolina State
Analysis: This draft is all about Mendoza. The Raiders are staking their future on the Heisman Trophy winner, hoping he can resurrect a franchise that’s gone 24 seasons without a playoff win. Last year, Mendoza won the national championship with Indiana, throwing 41 touchdowns. Additionally, general manager John Spytek took a big swing in the fourth round on McCoy, whose knee scared off many teams. However, if healthy (he hasn’t played since 2024), the Tennessee corner has first-round talent.
Grade: B
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Round 2, No. 38: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
Round 3, No. 67: Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn
Round 3, No. 91: Trey Zuhn III, IOL, Texas A&M
Round 4, No. 101: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Round 4, No. 122: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Round 5, No. 150: Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
Round 5, No. 175: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Round 6, No. 195: Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
Round 7, No. 229: Brandon Cleveland, DT, North Carolina State
Analysis: This draft is all about Mendoza. The Raiders are staking their future on the Heisman Trophy winner, hoping he can resurrect a franchise that’s gone 24 seasons without a playoff win. Last year, Mendoza won the national championship with Indiana, throwing 41 touchdowns. Additionally, general manager John Spytek took a big swing in the fourth round on McCoy, whose knee scared off many teams. However, if healthy (he hasn’t played since 2024), the Tennessee corner has first-round talent.
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RunOverByHubbard
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CBS Sports:
Las Vegas Raiders -- A
R1 (1) Fernando Mendoza -- QB, Indiana A
R2 (38) Treydan Stukes -- S, Arizona A
R3 (67) Keyron Crawford -- EDGE, Auburn A
R3 (91) Trey Zuhn III -- C, Texas A&M A+
R4 (101) Jermod McCoy -- CB, Tennessee A+
R4 (122) Mike Washington Jr. -- RB, Arkansas A
R5 (150) Dalton Johnson -- S, Arizona C+
R5 (175) Hezekiah Masses -- CB, California B+
R6 (185) Malik Benson -- WR, Oregon B
R7 (229) Brandon Cleveland -- DL, NC State A-
It would have been the surprise of all surprises if the Raiders did anything with the No. 1 pick other than select Fernando Mendoza. There is no drama here, and as such, it's an "A" for Las Vegas right out of the gate. Klint Kubiak has his quarterback of the future.
The draft really started for Las Vegas in Round 2. Treydan Stukes was the first pick the Raiders had to make on the fly. Stukes gained traction among the draft community as the spring progressed, and while he is popular among analysts, the fact that he came off the board before Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a surprise.
The Raiders then made it six straight "A" picks with the additions of Keyron Crawford, Trey Zuhn III, Jermod McCoy and Mike Washington Jr. The McCoy pick delivers unbelievable value, as he might be the best cornerback in the class if he is healthy. The ACL tear that cost him the entire 2025 season is a red flag and prompted the biggest slide for any prospect in the draft, but if he is at full strength upon arrival in Las Vegas, he is an absolute steal at No. 101.
The "A" streak finally came to an end with their seventh pick, safety Dalton Johnson.
Las Vegas Raiders -- A
R1 (1) Fernando Mendoza -- QB, Indiana A
R2 (38) Treydan Stukes -- S, Arizona A
R3 (67) Keyron Crawford -- EDGE, Auburn A
R3 (91) Trey Zuhn III -- C, Texas A&M A+
R4 (101) Jermod McCoy -- CB, Tennessee A+
R4 (122) Mike Washington Jr. -- RB, Arkansas A
R5 (150) Dalton Johnson -- S, Arizona C+
R5 (175) Hezekiah Masses -- CB, California B+
R6 (185) Malik Benson -- WR, Oregon B
R7 (229) Brandon Cleveland -- DL, NC State A-
It would have been the surprise of all surprises if the Raiders did anything with the No. 1 pick other than select Fernando Mendoza. There is no drama here, and as such, it's an "A" for Las Vegas right out of the gate. Klint Kubiak has his quarterback of the future.
The draft really started for Las Vegas in Round 2. Treydan Stukes was the first pick the Raiders had to make on the fly. Stukes gained traction among the draft community as the spring progressed, and while he is popular among analysts, the fact that he came off the board before Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a surprise.
The Raiders then made it six straight "A" picks with the additions of Keyron Crawford, Trey Zuhn III, Jermod McCoy and Mike Washington Jr. The McCoy pick delivers unbelievable value, as he might be the best cornerback in the class if he is healthy. The ACL tear that cost him the entire 2025 season is a red flag and prompted the biggest slide for any prospect in the draft, but if he is at full strength upon arrival in Las Vegas, he is an absolute steal at No. 101.
The "A" streak finally came to an end with their seventh pick, safety Dalton Johnson.