The Las Vegas Raiders are embracing offense this offseason with the decision to hire Klint Kubiak as the head coach. The last two head coaches the team hired have come from defensive backgrounds, and the offense has been a disaster.
The defense hasn’t been much better, and it needs a lot of work. The Raiders don’t have a defensive coordinator yet, so it’s difficult to know who will be a scheme fit. One thing is for sure: Las Vegas needs another pass rusher to pair with Maxx Crosby.
The defense had 37 sacks this season, which places them in the middle of the pack, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Crosby was the only player with more than 4.5 sacks this season.
There are some amazing pass-rushing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, but the Raiders are almost certainly using their No. 1 pick on a quarterback. That means they will all have to wait until later in the draft to address the need.
ESPN’s Matt Miller put together a two-round mock draft, and he projects the Raiders to select Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor with the No. 36 pick.
“Mesidor’s age (he turns 25 in April) might limit how high he can rise, but this value at the top of Round 2 would be too sweet to pass up,” Miller wrote. “Mesidor projects as a true 4-3 defensive end who could disrupt offenses opposite Maxx Crosby.”
Mesidor Had Breakout Season at Miami
Mesidor was a stud for Miami this season. The Raiders’ front office was out in full force for the National Championship game, so they got to see Mesidor sack Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza twice.
He finished the year with 12.5 sacks, which was 3.0 more than his teammate Rueben Bain Jr., who is expected to be a top-10 pick. The biggest knock on Mesidor is that he’s going to be really old for a rookie. He was often playing against competition that was much younger than him.
That doesn’t mean he can’t be a good player at the NFL level. The second round is the perfect time to take a player like him. The upside is low, but he has a chance to come in and be an impact player as a rookie.
Mendoza Is Still the Pick at No. 1
There have been some suggestions that the Raiders should trade down in the draft, but it appears they are set on taking Mendoza. That’s what Miller expects the team to do.
“This is a very easy decision for the Raiders — draft the quarterback,” Miller wrote. “The Geno Smith trade did not work out, and the 2026 class features only one passer with a first-round grade. My No. 4 overall player, Mendoza gives the Raiders a franchise-caliber quarterback with excellent poise, decision-making, accuracy and toughness both in and out of the pocket, which he showed in winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to the national championship.
“He can start from day one, and the Raiders have the offensive infrastructure around him in tackle Kolton Miller, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. Mendoza’s experience and proven ability to elevate those around him should make him a lock here.”
Raiders Predicted to Land 12.5 Sacks Star to Pair With Maxx Crosby