The phone lines are buzzing in Las Vegas. Raiders General Manager John Spytek confirmed Tuesday that several teams have already expressed interest in trading for the franchise's coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Speaking at a news conference in Henderson, Nevada, Spytek revealed the Raiders are fielding calls but remain non-committal. "We've gotten a few calls and those teams know where they stand right now," he told reporters, setting the stage for a high-stakes draft night decision.
All eyes are on former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is widely projected to be the Raiders' selection if they stay put. However, Spytek's philosophy suggests a deal is possible. He emphasized the team will weigh the value of trading down against their conviction in a specific player.
"If there's a player who stands out that we feel it's not worth losing, it's not worth even picking up the phone. Then we’ll just make the pick," Spytek stated. "But if it’s a player that we’re not as excited about... and we can get value for that, then we’re certainly open to listening."
This strategic approach is familiar for Spytek, who traded back twice in the second round during his first draft as GM in 2025. The Raiders, coming off a 3-14 season, hold a total of ten picks in this draft, including three in the fourth round, providing them with ample capital to address roster needs at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and potentially quarterback.
The quarterback room already saw a major addition this offseason with veteran Kirk Cousins, and Mendoza would join Aidan O'Connell in that group. With a revamped front office, including Assistant GM Brian Stark, the Raiders are poised for a pivotal draft that could define the franchise's direction for years to come.
As Spytek put it, capturing the tense anticipation of draft night: "I think, when you get on the clock, unless you are super convicted that you’re making the pick, you kind of just sit there and wait for a little bit and see if your phone will ring." For the Raiders and the rest of the league, that wait is now officially on.