The Las Vegas Raiders may have been hoping for a few competent years of starting quarterback play from Geno Smith.
They haven't even gotten one, though, and now the 2026 NFL Draft looms large.
It's a solid QB class at the top, albeit maybe not as deep as once thought. But the Raiders likely will have a top-five pick to use on their passer of the future.
In The Athletic's new mock draft by Dane Brugler, the Raiders are slotted to pick No. 4. But Brugler has them make a trade up two slots, to where the New York Giants reside, to get a quarterback.
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Brugler has the Browns trade up to No. 1 to take Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.
That leaves Oregon QB Dante Moore to the Raiders with the second pick.
"Moore is still just 20 years old and will have fewer than 20 career starts on his resume after this season," Brugler writes. "And, with Oregon’s NIL potential, he’ll also have plenty of reasons to stay in school. But could he pass up a potential spot in the top five? I continue to be impressed with the way Moore has responded to everything Oregon has put on his plate this season. His command of the offense and natural accuracy as a passer are strong selling points for the quarterback he will become in the NFL."
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If the Raiders get Moore, it'll be up to their front office to do what they can to make him successful.
He'll have skill players around him with immense pedigrees and talent, like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. They could probably use a high pick on a WR to add to that group, too.
Moore could be worth it. The Raiders sure hope so. They have to get this right.
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