If there’s one brutal lesson the 2025 NFL season has hammered home for Las Vegas Raiders fans, it’s this: the Silver and Black aren’t just a tweak or two away from contention—they’re in desperate need of an overhaul. Sure, tight end, running back, and left tackle are somewhat stable, but even those spots could use some serious depth. Everywhere else? It’s a glaring void screaming for elite talent, especially at quarterback, defensive tackle, and cornerback.
Enter the 2026 NFL Draft, a class brimming with game-changers at these premium positions. It’s on new general manager John Spytek to navigate this treasure trove and rebuild the roster. While Raider Nation is buzzing about finally snagging a first-round quarterback—something the franchise hasn’t done since the JaMarcus Russell era in 2007—there’s a compelling case for prioritizing a defensive monster early and circling back for a QB gem on Day 2. It’s a strategy that balances immediate impact with long-term upside, and it could catapult the Raiders back into relevance.
In their latest two-round mock draft, A to Z Sports’ experts Ryan Roberts and Joe DeLeone nailed this approach for Las Vegas, delivering a blueprint that’s nothing short of perfection. Buckle up, because this isn’t just a draft—it’s a franchise-altering masterstroke.
With the Christian Wilkins saga leaving a massive hole in the interior line, defensive tackle has skyrocketed to the top of the Raiders’ wish list. Roberts and DeLeone project Las Vegas to address it head-on by selecting Clemson’s Peter Woods in Round 1, and oh boy, does this pick scream “home run.”
“After the Christian Wilkins situation, defensive tackle has become a major need once again for the Raiders,” Roberts explained. “While Clemson has struggled in 2025, Woods has continued to play quality football. He is a ball of chaos at around 6-2 and 315 pounds, possessing rare movement skills for his size.”
Woods entered the year as a potential top-5 pick, and after a sluggish start, he’s heating up just in time. Through seven games, he’s racked up 21 tackles, 1.0 sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. But stats don’t capture his versatility—he even moonlights as a fullback and wildcat QB, à la J.J. Pegues. His explosive blend of speed and raw power is a nightmare for offenses, and pairing him with stars like Maxx Crosby, Adam Butler, and Malcolm Koonce under defensive line coach Rob Leonard? That’s a recipe for dominance. Woods steps in as a Day 1 starter, evolving into a disruptive force that could redefine the Raiders’ defense overnight.
The quarterback drought ends in Round 2 with Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, a rising star whose highlight-reel throws and electrifying runs have scouts drooling. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he’s got the prototypical NFL build, but it’s his athleticism that sets him apart—think a mobile cannon with wheels.
This season alone, Sorsby has bulldozed defenses on the ground, rushing 69 times for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. Flash back to last year, and he piled on 447 yards and nine scores as a rusher. Sure, he’ll need to refine his mechanics and sharpen his accuracy, but his rocket arm and elusive scrambling make him a tantalizing project. If he declares for the draft, the Raiders would be fools not to pounce—he’s the kind of talent that could blossom into a franchise QB under the right guidance.
Look, no single draft class—let alone two picks—can magically erase years of struggles. But if this vision from Roberts and DeLeone becomes reality, the Raiders would land a defensive anchor in Woods to fortify the trenches and a high-upside QB in Sorsby to spark the offense. It’s the ultimate one-two punch: immediate grit on D and explosive potential under center. Suddenly, the future looks electric, giving fans real reasons to dream big. Spytek, if you’re listening—this is the roadmap to redemption. Let’s make it happen!