Nearly two decades later, the Raiders are getting another chance.

In 2007, the Raiders, then based in Oakland, had the No. 1 pick in a draft for what had been the only time in their first 66 seasons. Forget “The Autumn Wind.” It was an Autumn Whiff.

The Raiders selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who became one of the biggest busts in NFL history. He lasted three seasons, throwing 18 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions.

Now the Raiders, based in Las Vegas since 2020, will pick No. 1 for a second time and once again will select a quarterback. But count on this selection working out way better.

With the three-day NFL draft getting underway Thursday night in Pittsburgh, here’s how the first round and the Broncos’ initial pick at No. 62 in the second round might unfold:

1. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, INDIANA

Mendoza won‘t be at the draft, preferring to spend it with his family in Miami, so commissioner Roger Goodell won’t be able to hand him a Raiders jersey on stage. But the pick has been obvious for so long, perhaps Mendoza has been mailed one to hold up for television.

2. NEW YORK JETS: DAVID BAILEY, EDGE, TEXAS TECH

When the draft used to be in New York, it was fun to listen to the fans there after the Jets picked in the first round, and they usually were booing. Regardless of the draft’s location, the long-inept Jets figure to get plenty of cheers from their fans after taking a guy who had 14.5 sacks in 2025.

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS: ARVELL REESE, EDGE, OHIO STATE

Considering the Cardinals started a 39-year-old pass rusher for all 17 games in 2025 in Denver native Calais Campbell, how about bringing in some new blood? Reese, who at 20 is nearly half Campbell’s age, has a high ceiling after having 10 sacks in 2025.

4. TENNESSEE TITANS: JEREMIYAH LOVE, RB, NOTRE DAME

Tony Pollard remains with Tennessee after having four straight 1,000-yard seasons, two with the Titans. So what? He turns 29 next week and expiration dates can’t be ignored on running backs. Neither can the tremendous talent of Love, who ran for 1,272 yards last season.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS: SONNY STYLES, LB, OHIO STATE

The Giants have a heck of a linebacker tradition, which includes having Hall of Fame inductees Sam Huff, Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson. And coach Jim Harbaugh once coached Ray Lewis in Baltimore. Welcome to New York, Sonny.

6. CLEVELAND BROWNS: CARNELL TATE, WR, OHIO STATE

After a Pro Bowl season in 2024, ex-Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy was a stock market crash in action in 2025 for Cleveland, his catches going from 90 to 50 and yards from 1,229 to 602. In other words, the Browns need a receiver. Tate had 51 grabs in 2025.

7. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: CALEB DOWNS, S, OHIO STATE

If you blinked in 1995, you might have missed running back Gary Downs’ Broncos tenure. He played in two games without a carry. But Downs, mostly an NFL special teams player from 1994-2000, is the proud father of this safety as well as Indianapolis receiver Josh Downs.

8. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: RUEBEN BAIN JR., EDGE, MIAMI

The Saints can’t afford to bypass a talent like Bain, a rugged rusher who had 10.5 sacks last season. Bain, unfortunately, was involved in a 2024 car accident in which a passenger died.

9. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, T, MIAMI

The job application for this pick might read something like, “Wanted: Bodyguard for Patrick Mahomes. Please send tapes of pancake blocks to 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129.” One thinks the 6-foot-6, 327-pound Mauigoa might pass muster.

10. NEW YORK GIANTS: WR JORDYN TYSON, ARIZONA STATE

The Giants last season got a 1,000-yard receiving season from Wan’Dale Robinson before he bolted to Tennessee as a free agent. But the 5-8 Robinson wasn’t much use on high balls. So enter the 6-2 Tyson, who has a catch radius to envy.

11. MIAMI DOLPHINS: MANSOOR DELANE, CB, LSU

The rebuilding Dolphins are not expected to have many victories in 2026. But Delane’s first name means in Arabic, “He who is victorious.” So why not add the top cornerback in the draft?

12. DALLAS COWBOYS: SPENCER FANO, T, UTAH

The Cowboys might take an offensive lineman in the first round whose name isn’t Tyler. In 2022, they selected Tyler Smith, in 2024 it was Tyler Guyton and in 2025 they landed Tyler Booker. The 6-6, 311-pound Fano was dominant in three years at Utah.

13. LOS ANGELES RAMS: MAKAI LEMON, WR, USC

Once again, Lemon might not have to pay any moving expenses. He starred in high school in a Los Angeles suburb and then in L.A. at USC. With Davante Adams being 33 and slowing down, Lemon could be a nice piece for years opposite Puka Nacua.

14. BALTIMORE RAVENS: KENYON SADIQ, TE, OREGON

Tight end Mark Andrews, 30, is no longer the Pro Bowl player he once was and Isaiah Likely signed with the Giants as a free agent. No problem. The confident Sadiq talked at the combine about how he is a “great blocker” and makes “contested” and “a lot of diving” catches.

15. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE, MIAMI

At 25, Mesidor is no youngster. But he played six years in college and had 12.5 sacks last season. The Buccaneers, after having a meager 37 sacks in 2025, could use a seasoned player ready to get after the quarterback.

16. NEW YORK JETS: OMAR COOPER, JR., WR, INDIANA

The Jets solved their quarterback issue by trading for Geno Smith. Well, maybe they did. Smith threw a league-most 17 interceptions last season for the Raiders. The Jets want to give Smith as much help as they can, and Cooper was Mendoza’s favorite target on the national champion Hoosiers.

17. DETROIT LIONS: KADYN PROCTOR, T, ALABAMA

The GMC Hummer is made in Detroit, so the city sure knows about huge things. So how about welcoming the 6-7, 352-pound Proctor, who might be the biggest player taken in the draft? But Proctor has some pick-up, having run the 40-yard dash in 5.21 seconds.

18. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: DILLON THIENEMAN, S, OREGON

The Vikings blew it when they bypassed star safety Kyle Hamilton in the 2022 draft. Now they can make up for it by grabbing the second-best safety in the draft. And perhaps Harrison Smith will return for a 15th season to help mentor Thieneman.

19. CAROLINA PANTHERS: KC CONCEPCION, WR, TEXAS A&M

Concepcion grew up in Charlotte and saw plenty of bad football. The Panthers have had eight straight losing seasons, although they somehow made the playoffs last season at 8-9. They need an explosive playmaker to help them actually have a winning record.

20. DALLAS COWBOYS: CHRIS JOHNSON, CB, SAN DIEGO STATE

The Cowboys were last in the NFL in 2025 in scoring and pass defense. The Broncos added to their misery with a 44-24 devouring of Dallas in Week 8. But the word is Johnson might be able to help stop somebody.

21. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: TY SIMPSON, QB, ALABAMA

Aaron Rodgers has until this pick to run on stage in Pittsburgh and say he’s definitely returning to the Steelers in 2026 and they don’t need to draft a quarterback. But even if he does that, Pittsburgh still must prepare for life after Rodgers.

22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, G, PENN STATE

The Chargers’ O-line was an Ouch-line in 2025. Among those hurt were Rashawn Slater, who missed the entire season due to a knee injury and Joe Alt, who sat out 10 games with ankle issues. Ioane can help protect the health of quarterback Justin Herbert, who was sacked 54 times.

23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: DENZEL BOSTON, WR, WASHINGTON

If Philadelphia indeed drafts a receiver here, general manager Howie Roseman still will utter his recording of “A.J. Brown is an Eagle.” But it would really signal Brown being on his way out. Boston, with 20 touchdown grabs the past two years, would be a nice addition.

24. CLEVELAND BROWNS: COLTON HOOD, CB, TENNESSEE

It would be Colorado reunion. Hood played in 2024 with the Buffaloes and a teammate was Shedeur Sanders, now a Browns quarterback. Like Sanders, Hood doesn’t lack confidence. He calls himself “the best corner in the draft.”

25. CHICAGO BEARS: EMMANUEL McNEIL-WARREN, S, TOLEDO

The “Peanut Punch” could return to Chicago. Cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman popularized a way to punch the ball for fumbles while playing for the Bears from 2003-14. Now comes McNeil-Warren, who has talked about studying the maneuver.

26. BUFFALO BILLS: PETER WOODS, DT, CLEMSON

The Bills took defensive tackle Deone Walker, nicknamed the “Dancing Bear,” in the fourth round last year and he became a regular starter. But his rookie year was more like a slow waltz. Woods would give Buffalo an additional option in the interior line.

27. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: MONROE FREELING, T, GEORGIA

The 49ers no longer are sweating about tackle Trent Williams, who agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract extension that takes him through 2027, when he will be 39. But if a 6-7, 315-pound guy with skills is still around, you take him.

28. HOUSTON TEXANS: KAYDEN McDONALD, DT, OHIO STATE

Watch out opposing quarterbacks if the Texans land McDonald. They already have defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, who combined last year for 27 sacks. Denver’s Bo Nix can be happy Houston isn’t on the schedule in 2026.

29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: JERMOD McCOY, CB, TENNESSEE

If there’s one team that can take a chance on McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, it’s Kansas City. Just look at the jewelry collection of coach Andy Reid, who has been to six Super Bowls and won three. Besides, the Chiefs need a cornerback.

30. MIAMI DOLPHINS: MAX IHEANACHOR, T, ARIZONA STATE

The native of Nigeria is still learning the game. But he looked good last season against Bailey, who could go No. 2 to the Jets. That might pique the interest of the Dolphins, who loathe the Jets and got this pick in dealing wide receiver Jayden Waddle to Denver.

31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: T.J. PARKER, EDGE, CLEMSON

Parker’s sack total dropped from 11 in 2024 to five in 2025, but that’s why he still could be available here. The Patriots haven’t had a player get even nine sacks in a season since 2022, so it might be T.J. time in New England.

32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: JADARIAN PRICE, RB, NOTRE DAME

When running back Kenneth Walker became a free agent and wanted huge dollars, the Seahawks yawned and watched him walk to the Chiefs. Now, the Super Bowl champs could land an ideal replacement. And he’s a top-notch kick returner to boot.

62. DENVER BRONCOS: ELI STOWERS, TE, VANDERBILT

Broncos coach Sean Payton thought he had his “Joker” when they signed tight end Evan Engram last year. But there wasn’t a lot to laugh about after Engram’s so-so season. The 6-4 and athletic Stowers, who had 51 catches in 2025, could be the matchup problem Payton seeks. They might have to trade up to get him.