The presumed top prospect is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And for good reason.
With prototypical size, arm talent, and natural competitiveness, the Indiana quarterback has the physical and mental
tools to fill the cavernous gap at the all-important signal caller position in the desert. And that’s highly likely why the Las Vegas Raiders — the owner of the No. 1 overall pick — will make the Hoosiers’ quarterback the top selection officially on April 23, the first day of the draft.
But we’re a ways from the NFL’s annual event and the Raiders still have a vacancy at head coach. Although, Las Vegas is making good progress in that department after completing a second interview with presumed top candidate Klint Kubiak, who is the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator.
Lot of presumptions to being this piece, no? Mendoza as the No. 1 pick and Kubiak as the head coach.
This early into the offseason process, however, it’s difficult to see the Raiders select anyone other than the Indiana signal caller — despite who the head coach may be. Whether that’s Kubiak or the defensive-minded Ejiro Evero, who is currently the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator.
Which brings us to a question that’s still good to ponder: Despite the high likelihood Mendoza’s name is called first, who else could the Raiders take No.1 overall?
At this juncture, it’s two defenders.
What A Rush
Rueben Bain Jr.
Edge, Miami
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, this pass rusher lives up to the Hurricanes moniker for Miami. Disruptive, destructive, and dominate, Bain is a violent defender off the edge who has shown he can use his brute force to eject offensive linemen from their anchor and is a force rushing the quarterback or wrecking the run.
Some may call it recently bias, but what Bain was able to do in the College Football Playoffs and in the championship game against Mendoza and Indiana was something to behold. With eight total tackles, one sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss, the junior was in the backfield creating chaos.
Bain closed out his collegiate career at Miami with a fine 2025 season — 54 total tackles, 15.5 stops for loss, 9.5 sacks, and one interception — and he leaves with 121 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and one pick in 38 games.
The measurements on Bain — whether at the NFL Combine or at Miami’s Pro Day — are going to be key. He does lack ideal length and his first-step off the snap isn’t the quickest (gulp, current Raider Tyree Wilson). However, with the Raiders lacking a big-time presence opposite edge rusher Maxx Crosby, Bain is the type of prospect that can create a Legion of Doom/Road Warriors-type tag team with No. 98.
Arvell Reese
Edge, Ohio State
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, this versatile Buckeyes defender was deployed as a chess piece by Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The junior was used as an off-ball linebacker, stand-up edge rusher, and even as a quarterback spy
Reese’s athleticism jumps right off the page when you watch him for the Buckeyes this season as his explosive first step allows him to overwhelm blockers. Couple that with speed and bend, it’s easy to see why offensive tackles, tight ends, and running backs had a whale of a time keeping Reese at bay. It’s that same size and speed that allows him to not be a supreme liability in when tasked with covering tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.
Depending on how the Raiders would use Reese, he has the profile of being a terrorizing speed rusher off the edge that can create a pincer with Crosby. There are pieces of his game that require refinement — such as a more diver pass rush toolbox, strength, and read-and-react skills against the run — but Reese explosiveness and versatility are hard to find.
In 2025, Reese racked up 69 total tackles with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He leaves Ohio State with 112 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 36 games.
At this early juncture, those are the two standout prospects that merit a look at the top overall pick. As we proceed in the offseason, the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine begins at the tail end of this month (Feb. 23) and goes through March 2, expect prospects to rise and fall, per usual. The measurements and testing numbers — if prospects decided to partake in drills and the like — will be instrumental in the evaluation period, too.
Then there’s free agency mid-March and then the draft in late April (23rd-25th).
But, unless something occurs — like the Raiders trading the No. 1 pick or for a veteran quarterback — it’s safe to assume Mendoza is the selection. No matter the head coach.
Extra Points
We’ve mentioned it several times: Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has called a number of Seahawks games this season in his gig as Fox Sports lead football analyst on TV. And it’s easy to see why he’s so impressed with Kubiak and the Raiders’ pursuit of said coach to become the next head coach in Las Vegas.
Kubiak’s attack is balanced and he puts his players in the best possible position to succeed while making the opposing defensive coordinator look clueless at times.
But what I like in Kubiak: He deploys a true fullback in his offense.
Seattle took Robbie Ouzts in the fifth-round of the 2025 draft (175th overall) and Kubiak converted the Alabama tight end to fullback. And at 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds, Ouzts is one big mama jama. Playing in 12 games this season (two starts) the rookie logged 203 total offensive snaps. There’s also converted tight end Brady Russell (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) that got occasional snaps at fullback (58) but was a special teams mainstay (396 snaps).
Kubiak landing the Raiders gig may bode well for JJ Pegues, a 2025 sixth-round pick (180th overall), as the Ole Miss defensive tackle played the fullback/short-yardage role racking up 21 carries for 69 yards and seven touchdowns in college.
