The selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza was a simple one.
Once the Las Vegas Raiders decided to hold on to the pick and not trade it away, Mendoza was the easy call.
The real work was done over the course of the final six rounds as general manager John Spytek added nine additional players.
He found depth options along both lines of scrimmage, including a potential contributor at defensive tackle in the new 3-4 scheme by taking N.C. State’s Brandon Cleveland in the seventh round.
They found speed on offense and a whole lot of bodies in the defensive backfield that could be big factors early in their careers.
Oh, and the potential steal in the draft in cornerback Jermod McCoy.
Grade: A-
The Raiders weren’t really trying to hit a grand slam, and they didn’t.
Spytek’s approach has been more about finding players with great character and identifiable athletic traits to try to build his roster.
The Mendoza pick was responsible and prudent. It was also easy.
A blockbuster trade would have been fun and could have potentially yielded a haul that could have been better for the Raiders in the long run. But it could have also been a disaster.
McCoy was as close to a big swing as they took, and they waited until the fourth round to do it, mitigating most of the risk.
If he is actually healthy, this grade probably bumps up to A-plus.
Edge rusher Keyron Crawford has some pretty nice upside at a position the Raiders don’t really have an immediate need for, so he can take his time to develop.
Trey Zuhn is a very experienced offensive lineman who will provide depth and versatility.
Running back Mike Washington Jr. and wide receiver Malik Benson can both fly, which will add a dangerous dynamic to Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Treydan Stukes will probably have a role right away in the secondary, and his close friend Dalton Johnson could also see the field.
This is just a solid performance by Spytek. And that’s OK.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
