The Las Vegas Raiders are due for another total rebuild, so there aren’t many positions on the roster that are set. Tight end and running back might be the only two positions they don’t need to be aggressive in addressing.
It remains to be seen if star defensive end Maxx Crosby will stay with the franchise, but even if he does, defensive end is a big need. Malcolm Koonce has been a disappointment this season, and the Raiders might let him walk in free agency.
Tyree Wilson is officially a draft bust and could be traded or cut in the offseason. The Raiders should have a top-five draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while many think they’ll go after a quarterback, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner projected the team to select Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk with the No. 2 pick.
“Based on traits (and position) alone, we probably can’t take Faulk out of the No. 1 pick discussion,” Is DL the Right Move if Raiders Have No.2 Pick? wrote. “Theoretically, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder can do it all, from zero- to nine-technique. Faulk is a very young player with immense potential, so his pre-draft process could be huge.
“QB is also a possibility for the Raiders, but I’m not ready just yet to slot one in the top five.”
Is DL the Right Move if Raiders Have No.2 Pick?
Based on Baumgardner’s projection, the Tennessee Titans would have the No. 1 pick, and the Raiders would have the No. 2. That would give Las Vegas the pick of a lot of good players.
The Titans aren’t going to go quarterback after selecting Cam Ward in this year’s draft. If the Raiders want a quarterback and do get the No. 2 pick, they could have their pick of the field.
However, there are a lot of question marks regarding this quarterback class. Fernando Mendoza is an intriguing player, but there is still some concern about whether or not his game will translate to the NFL.
Plus, the 2027 class could be much stronger at quarterback. It wouldn’t be a bad move for the Raiders to really lean into building out the rest of the roster this offseason, so that if they get a quarterback in 2027, he’d be more set up for success.
Faulk Is a Similar Prospect to Tyree Wilson
Faulk is a towering player at 6-foot-6 and has very long arms. He’s a bit raw and needs some work. He’s not explosive off the line of scrimmage and has a hard time winning with his hand placement.
That’s almost the exact same scouting report Tyree Wilson had before the Raiders picked him. Does Las Vegas want to bet on a prospect who is very similar to one they just missed on? Faulk has All-Pro potential, but so did Wilson.
In Baumgardner’s mock draft, Reuben Bain Jr. and Caleb Downs would still be on the board when the Raiders select. One of those two players might be a bit safer of a pick. Just because Wilson and Faulk have similar college careers doesn’t mean the latter can’t be great, but it would be a risk the Raiders might not be willing to take.
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