The Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens completed a blockbuster trade on March 6, just days before the start of 2026 NFL free agency.
The Raiders sent star pass rusher Max Crosby to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks, including the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
advertise
Crosby will provide Baltimore’s pass rush a major boost ahead of new coach Jesse Minter’s first season with the team. The Ravens totaled 30 sacks in 2025, which ranked third in the NFL, and their 28.4% pressure rate ranked fourth in the league, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
In the meantime, the Raiders will acquire a ton of assets to continue their organizational rebuild. They will now have two top-15 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and can use them to upgrade a struggling offense in 2025.
Las Vegas has a lot of buying power in the draft. They are tied with the second overall pick in the entire draft and are one of five teams with multiple first-round picks.
Here’s information about the Raiders’ draft capital and how they’ll use it come draft day.
Las Vegas Raiders 2026 draft picks
Following the Max Crosby trade, the Raiders now have 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks. Here’s a full look at Las Vegas’ rich picks:
advertise
-
First round, No. 14 pick (from Ravens)
-
Round 4, pick 124 (from Jaguars and Vikings)
-
Round 4, Pick 134 (compensation)
-
Round 5, pick 175 (compensated)
-
Round 6, pick 182 (from Jaguars via Jets)
Las Vegas Raiders mock draft after Max Crosby trade
Here’s how the Raiders can utilize the 11 picks they currently have in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 1, No. 1 pick: Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
There is nothing mysterious about the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders are expected to select Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship in his only season at the school. The 22-year-old possesses excellent accuracy, anticipation and ball-handling ability and should benefit from working with new Raiders coach Clint Kubiak.
First round, No. 14 pick: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Raiders will use the draft pick they acquired from the Ravens in the Crosby trade to build around Mendoza. Las Vegas desperately needs help at receiver, and Lemon (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) has excellent separation skills and strong hands that should make him a reliable slot target at the NFL level.
advertise
Round 2, Pick 36: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Eric Stokes — Las Vegas’ top cornerback last season, according to Pro Football Focus — will become a free agent. If they don’t keep the five-year veteran, they’ll need to replace him, and Johnson is a versatile, pro-ready prospect. The 6-0, 193-pound cornerback produced four interceptions in his final season with the Aztecs while posting a meager 16.1 passer rating and 18 interceptions.
Third round, pick 67: G Keyland Rutledge, Georgia Tech
The Raiders had one of the worst offenses in the NFL last season. They’ll need to improve on Mendoza in 2026, and Rutledge’s pro-level size (6-foot-4, 316 pounds) should make him a plug-and-play option with elite run-blocking ability. He can play right guard — where he played primarily in college — while Jackson Bowles-Johnson can play left guard, replacing free agent Dylan Parham.
advertise
Round 4, Pick 102: Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech
David Bailey wasn’t the only edge rusher who thrived for the Red Raiders last season. Hight also performed well, recording a career-high 10 sacks in his sixth collegiate game. Height is a good athlete and explosive from the edge, but needs to add some strength to his 6-foot-3, 239-pound frame to avoid constant bullying on offense.
Round 4, Pick 124: C Jake Slaughter, Florida State
According to Pro Football Focus, the Raiders’ 2025 starting center, Jordan Meredith, ranks 31st out of 37 eligible players at the position. Slaughter (6-5, 305 pounds) is a good athlete and a perfect fit for Kubiak’s zone-running scheme.
advertise
Round 4, Pick 134: OT Markel Bell, Miami (Fla.)
The Raiders have three fourth-round picks and the ability to use one of them to move up. Bell, 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, is something you can’t coach, and he played left tackle during Miami’s run to the national championship. He’s an ideal developmental tackle who could benefit from learning from behind Colton Miller.
Round 5, Pick 175: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
It would be a smart move for the Raiders to add a bigger receiver to pair with Lemon and Tre Tucker, who are just under 6 feet tall. Stribling ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds and caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns in his lone season with the Rebels.
advertise
Round 6, Pick 182: Edge Caden Curry, Ohio State
Vegas will almost certainly double after trading Crosby. Curry was outstanding in his final season at Ohio State, totaling 11 sacks and 16.5 TFL. He could benefit from playing alongside first-round talent like Avre Reese, Sonny Styles and Caiden McDonald, but the 22-year-old should still be a quality fringe rotation player at the NFL level.
Round 6, Pick 185: LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama
Not to be confused with the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Jefferson had a productive career with the Crimson Tide. In his final season, he racked up 85 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and three sacks while breaking up five passes. At 6-foot-0, 223 pounds, he’s not the biggest player, but his athleticism and instincts should make him a quality NFL role player. He could help replace free agents Elandon Roberts and Devin White in Las Vegas.
advertise
Round 7, Pick 218: TE Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
The Raiders don’t necessarily need a tight end, but Nowakovsky is a solid value at this point. He’s a versatile blocker for the Hoosiers and could help Las Vegas open up more floor space for Ashton Jeanty in 2026. Combined with his familiarity with Mendoza from his time with the Hoosiers, Nowakovsky appears to be a perfect fit as the No. 3 tight end behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Maxx Crosby trade could impact Raiders picks, mock drafts
