With the NFL Draft near, Las Vegas Raiders keep command of top pick, eyeing future success

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — and, at least for now, they’re not budging.

“We’ve gotten a few calls and those teams know where they stand right now,” Spytek said.

With the draft just over a week away in Pittsburgh, the expectation around the league hasn’t changed. The Raiders are widely projected to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2025.

Spytek didn’t commit publicly to the pick, but emphasized the advantage of holding the top spot.

“There’s only one team that can get the exact person that they want… and we have that option available to us if we so choose.”

For a franchise coming off a 3–14 season, the decision is about more than just one player.

Spytek repeatedly pointed to the process behind the pick, and how the organization is building around it.

“I think I tried to do too much last year… it’s really not about me. It’s about the team,” Spytek said.

That approach has shaped the Raiders’ offseason. The team added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and reinforced the roster with experienced players, moves that signal a focus on stability rather than urgency.

Raiders

WATCH: Kirk Cousins holds first press conference as a Las Vegas Raider

KTNV Staff

Spytek made it clear that even if a rookie quarterback is the future, there’s no guarantee he starts immediately.

“It’s a hard position to play…there’s a lot to learn beyond throwing a football,” he said.

Still, the message is simple when it comes to the depth chart: “Ultimately, this is a meritocracy and the best guy will play.”

Cousins’ presence, Spytek said, is part of that equation — not just as competition, but as a resource.

“Anytime you have a veteran quarterback in a room that’s played at a high level… I think that that helps everybody, especially the coaching staff, sleep a little better at night.”

Watch the full press conference with Raiders general manager John Spytek:

Beyond quarterback, the Raiders are also focused on filling out the roster. Spytek noted the team currently has just three safeties and expects to add more through the draft and undrafted free agency.

“We have 3 safeties on the roster right now… so that’s just a math equation… we need a few more.”

The Raiders hold 10 total picks and are projected to sign around 15 undrafted free agents.

For Spytek, the goal isn’t just hitting on the first pick — it’s building something sustainable.

“We had a lot of people that wanted to come here… wanting to be a Raider,” he said.

That kind of interest, combined with the flexibility of the No. 1 pick, has the Raiders in a position they haven’t been in for years — one where the direction feels defined.

And with the draft approaching, the biggest decision may already be made.