Raiders already linked to 2026 quarterback prospect

A major reason as to why the Las Vegas Raiders and the rest of the NFL was more critical of the 2025 quarterback class was the pure talent potentially available the following year.

While the Raiders did draft quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller in the sixth round, Mellott is expected to convert to wide receiver, while Miller projects as a long-term backup and spot starter. With Geno Smith turning 35 during the upcoming season, the team will need to start thinking about a long-term solution under center. The talent potentially up for grabs next April will likely be where the Raiders begin their search, meaning the scouts are in for another year of heavily attacking the position.

Experts are already laying out who teams might target, and the Raiders are being connected to an interesting prospect.

Raiders should look into fast-rising SEC quarterback for 2026.

Early 2026 mock drafts have the Raiders drafting in the top ten once again, and some have already listed South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers as their top target.

“Sellers might be the most intriguing quarterback in the country in 2025, given the flashes he showed when healthy as the Gamecocks starter,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer, who has the quarterback going to the Raiders with the sixth overall pick. “He’s physically imposing with rare size and a cannon for an arm, and has bigger upside than just about anybody in the potential class of quarterbacks. His skill set will no doubt intrigue Pete Carroll and allow Vegas to find its long-term option under center.”

“Geno Smith could start and play most, if not all, of the 2026 season before giving way to Sellers,” wrote CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, who has Sellers mocked to Las Vegas in the exact same pick. “Smith will turn 35 during the upcoming season and quarterbacks do not often perform at a high level this late into their careers. Sellers showed a lot of growth for the Gamecocks this past season and may still have another level to take his game.”

Much of the hype surrounding the 2026 quarterback group falls on Texas’s Arch Manning, but Sellers has the chance to rise up the boards quickly.

Sellers is definitely a more raw product compared to his peers, but he is similar to new Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe in that his physical tools give him tantalizing upside. With a rocket arm and the ability to extend plays with his legs, a season where Sanders showcases more control and improved mechanics will go a long way towards establishing himself as a top-five pick. There are certainly ‘safer’ possibilities at quarterback this season, but few possess the ceiling that Sellers has.

The Raiders have plenty of time to look at who they like as their quarterback of the future, but Sellers makes for a fun starting point.