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The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off one of the more disappointing seasons in franchise history. After hiring Pete Carroll as head coach and trading for Geno Smith, many expected the Raiders to be in the playoff mix. Instead, they limped to a 2-15 record and clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After hiring Klint Kubiak to replace Carroll, and likely drafting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the draft, the Raiders could also be in the mix for a star wide receiver.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports labeled Las Vegas as one of the top landing spots for disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, projecting it would take a third and fifth-round pick to acquire the All-Pro receiver.
"When Philadelphia acquired Brown from the Titans in 2022, the Eagles sent the No. 18 overall pick in that year's draft to Tennessee," Sullivan writes. "Getting a first (or maybe even a second) at this stage of Brown's career seems a little too far-fetched, particularly with his age and contract situation (signed through 2029 and due $29 million in guarantees next season). Brown also appeared to lose a step in 2025, notably dropping some key balls in that playoff defeat to San Francisco. That may also make some prospective teams a bit skittish about trading blue-chip draft capital for him."
Assuming the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza, getting Brown to be his No. 1 receiver would immediately raise the ceiling for Las Vegas, and help the Heisman Trophy winner in his early development.
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