ESPN Analyst Pours Cold Water on Raiders' Post-Draft Hype

The Las Vegas Raiders had one of the better 2026 NFL draft classes.

The team made 10 selections, came away with a new franchise quarterback, bolstered its depth at several positions of need, and received an "A" grade from ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.

Vegas' selections included Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Arizona safety Treydan Stukes, Auburn defensive end Keyron Crawford, Texas A&M center Trey Zuhn III, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., Arizona safety Dalton Johnson, California cornerback Hezekiah Masses, Oregon receiver Malik Benson, and NC State defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland.

The Raiders did so well in the draft, in fact, that some analysts even speculated they could make some noise as a potential dark horse playoff team this season.

However, ESPN's Dan Graziano isn't buying it. Graziano recently explained why believing the Raiders are legit AFC West contenders is an overreaction.

"This is more than a one-year rebuilding project, and the Raiders know it," Graziano wrote. "… The Raiders’ offseason has been a good one. But come on, they play in the AFC West, where one team was the AFC’s No. 1 seed last year, another made the playoffs for the second year in a row, and the other missed the playoffs but had appeared in the previous three Super Bowls.

"The Raiders could be a dramatically improved team in 2026 and still find it hard to compete with the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs. You can make a solid case that the future is bright for the Raiders. It’s a lot tougher to make the case that the future is now."

The Raiders improved at several positions this offseason - quarterback (Kirk Cousins, Mendoza), backup running back (Mike Washington Jr.), center (Tyler Linderbaum), pass-rusher (Crawford, Kwity Paye), linebacker (Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker), cornerback (McCoy, Taron Johnson), and safety (Stukes).

The problem is they play in arguably the toughest division in the AFC. Even an above .500 season might not be enough to sniff the playoffs.

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 6:38 PM.