Raiders get aggressive while adding six players on Day 3 of NFL Draft

Raiders general manager John Spytek accumulated a treasure trove of late draft capital with shrewd dealings over the last year.

The final day of the 2026 NFL Draft is when he finally got to cash in on it. Spytek and his team proceeded more aggressively than ever before Saturday on the final day of this year’s draft, trading up three straight times to start the Raiders’ day — including on the opening pick.

Las Vegas moved up a spot in a deal with Buffalo to select the NFL Draft’s biggest faller, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, with the first pick of the fourth round. McCoy was once widely regarded as a top-10 talent, but slipped with concerns of his medical reports.

He missed all of last season with a torn ACL after getting a second-team All American nod as a sophomore in 2024, and now may reportedly require a second surgery.

McCoy might have been the headliner, but he wasn’t the only potential star with top-level traits selected by the silver and black Saturday. Las Vegas even shipped out a former top draft pick as part of the flurry of activity, trading 2023’s No. 7 overall pick Tyree Wilson to the New Orleans Saints in order to move up in the fifth round.  

Read below to meet the final six members of the Raiders’ 2026 draft class. They join Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza taken first overall as well as second-round Arizona safety Treydan Stukes, third-round Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford and third-round Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn.      

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy (fourth round, 101^st overall)

6-foot, 188 pounds

Quick scout: McCoy hits every mark to project as an elite NFL cover corner — except for his aforementioned medicals. But he has the ideal size and strength to match up with No. 1 receivers, and turned heads recently with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day. Selecting him was a risk, with some even suggesting he may never play a down if a second surgery isn’t successful, but one with immense upside.

What he said: “I’m super mentally strong. I feel I’ve just been through a lot. I’ve got a story that I’m still trying to tell.”

Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. (fourth round, 122^nd overall)

6-foot-1, 223 pounds

Quick scout: Another high-caliber athlete with one potential fatal flaw, Washington became the Raiders’ second straight swing-for-the-fences fourth-round pick. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the NFL Draft combine, posting a 4.33-second mark. There’s no doubting Washington’s running or playmaking ability, but he struggled with pass protection and especially fumbles throughout his college career.

What he said: “I’m super excited to get rolling with (Raiders starting running back Ashton Jeanty). All I could think of is thunder and lightning. So, I’m super-excited to be a one-two punch with him.”

Arizona safety Dalton Johnson (fifth round, 150^th overall)

5-foot-10, 192 pounds

Quick scout: The “best friend” of Raiders’ second-round pick and college teammate Treydan Stukes, Johnson complemented him well with the Wildcats as a similarly versatile and perhaps more cerebral — though less physical — player. Johnson needs to improve his tackling but, like Stukes, could conceivably help the Raiders at either safety spot or nickelback.

What he said: “I called (Stukes) real quick, and he just couldn’t believe it. He was like, ‘I think this is the best day of my life.” It’s one thing to be drafted, and I’m so grateful to be a Raider, but then on top of that, I get to do it with Stukes. It’s probably the best day of our lives for both of us.”

California cornerback Hezekiah Masses (fifth round, 175th overall)

6-foot-1, 179 pounds

Quick scout: A late bloomer, Masses led the nation with 18 passes defensed last year at California after transferring from Florida International. That means he missed being teammates with top overall pick Fernando Mendoza by one year in college, as the new Raiders quarterback left Cal for Indiana, but will now be in the same rookie draft class.

What he said:  “Just the franchise history, the Raiders are an excellent foundation. It’s just surreal. Growing up, I always wanted to be in the NFL and I’m finally here. So I’m not taking it lightly — all gas, no brakes.”

Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson (sixth round, 195^th overall)

6-foot, 189 pounds

Quick scout: Many fans hoped the Raiders would target a receiver earlier in the draft, but they believe they unearthed a gym with the Ducks’ speedster who also spent seasons at Alabama and Florida State. Benson may need some fine-tuning on the details, but he’s shown an ability to find open space and excel as a deep threat.

What he said: “I’m from Kansas City so growing up, I always had my hate for the Raiders so, to finally be on the side where it’s us versus anybody and us against the world, I love it. Just knowing the history, I’m glad I’m able to come in and make my mark and just be a part of this great tradition. We’re going to turn this thing in the right direction and do what we need to do so that confetti is falling, that banner is rising at the end of the year.”

NC State defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland (seventh round, 229^th overall)

6-foot-3, 307 pounds

Quick scout: Cleveland could be the rare seventh-round pick with a path to play right away given the lack of gap-filling size at the nose tackle position on the Raiders’ roster otherwise. One of the reasons he dropped in the draft was short arms but he’s excelled as a space-eater regardless.

What he said: “I played freaking every position on the D-line, and I think I found what I’m best at, which is nose tackle. I’m just ready to get out there and get to Las Vegas.”