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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 26, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Las Vegas Raiders, of course, opened the 2026 NFL draft by taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No.1 overall pick last month.
Still, the team found a way to dedicate a lot of its draft to the defensive side of the ball to help first-year defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. A recent X post by NFL analyst Warren Sharp showed the Raiders spent the eighth most draft capital in the NFL on defense.
The Raiders used six of heir 10 picks on defense as they drafted two safeties, two cornerbacks, a pass rusher and a nose tackle.
The message by Las Vegas general manager John Spytek was clear after the obvious Mendoza pick —- go get the defense deeper.
In other Raiders’ news:
- Biggest storylines: SB Nation thinks the Fernando Mendoza drafting is a huge storyline this spring. And they are correct.
- The Mendoza plan: SI has the story how the Raiders vetted Mendoza before the draft.
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