Day two of the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight. The Raiders have a pick at 36 overall with plenty of first round worthy talent still on the board. That means three teams are set to make their selections before the Raiders are on the clock. Should the Raiders risk the possibility of one of those teams taking the to player(s) on their board? There's a good argument to move up to control their own destiny.
Controlling their own destiny was exactly what the Raiders did to begin this draft, securing the number one overall pick back in early January and using that pick to select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. As the unquestioned and obvious selection at that spot, John Spytek said he told teams insterested in trading up simply "No."
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They could have a chance to do that again today. The 49ers traded out of the first round last night and are now sitting at 33 overall in the catbird seat. And reports are that they are open to trading down again.
Sources: The #49ers are considered “very open” to moving back and continuing to acquire draft capital at No. 33. They’re targeting several players and don’t necessarily need to pick at 33 to land one of them. https://t.co/eGjc2aKEPr
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 24, 2026
This is a deal the Raiders could make at any point today without waiting until the 49ers are on the clock.
Raiders GM John Spytek said after the first round on Thursday night that he would like to stand pat and let the draft come to them, but wouldn't rule out jumping up if they think it's worth it to do so.
"To me, it's always let it come to us, and any call we get or option we have has potential value, and there's a great team around me that will put our heads together, and we'll decide if it makes sense at 36 to stick and pick tomorrow or if it makes sense to move up if we want to get one of those guys or if to move back," Spytek said.
In my view there are three players who could be atop the Raiders board in terms of talent as well as the team's needs. They are Washington WR Denzel Boston, Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, and Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. All three of whom were widely expected to be selected in the first round.
Boston would be the ideal selection for the Raiders who have a big need at X receiver. If they feel the same way, it may not be worth it to risk waiting to see if he falls.
So, what would it cost?
The Raiders have seven picks on day three including three picks in round four alone. According to the draft value chart, their latest pick in round four at 134 should be more than enough to make that move.
That seems like it could be worth it to ensure they land the player they want with that pick.
On the other hand...
Staying put at 36 could very well work out just fine. While the three players I listed above are idea for the Raiders, they aren't considered the top overall players still on the board. The top two players according to Arif Hasan's Consensus Big Board are Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy and Clemson CB Aveion Terrell. If other teams agree, it seems very possible they will either take one of them or trade out with a team that is looking to take one of them.
Thus presenting the inherent dilemma between staying put or trading up.
It it was me, I'd be doing what I can to control my own destiny. If they stick and pick at 36, we won't ever really know if they ended up watching their preferred prospect come off the board ahead of them. We would just have to assume that they weighed the risk and decided it was worth it.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Report: 49ers open to trading 33 overall pick, should Raiders trade up?