Q: Is Mendoza an easy first round pick for the Raiders, if they are 2 or 3 should they trade up to 1?
Mendoza will be the first overall pick this season if the team holding the 1.1 is a team searching for a QB which it looks could be possible with the Titans victory over the Browns and Saints QB Tyler Shough looking as if he’s a potential starter next season and NO could look elsewhere to address needs. If the Raiders are 2 or 3, you have to consider a trade up to 1.1 if Dante Moore doesn’t declare.
If Moore does declare and Vegas holds the 2nd overall pick, then it’s likely a risk you’re willing to take. It’s hard to project a specific package for the selection but likely a 2027 first round pick could be involved. All that said, the key to the Raiders draft picks will come in their game vs the Giants in just a couple weeks.
Q: Why are Spytek/Brady given a free pass? Poor free agency and drafted all developmental guys. They wanted to be bad. You can’t just blame Carrol.
The Raiders off-season was lackluster, despite that though, the Raiders made an emphasis that they were building for the future despite whatever Pete Carroll wanted to tell the media. The Raiders aren’t and weren’t in a spot to win right away, and the coach in waiting talk from Carroll was never going to work, nor be a realistic possibility. First year GM’s usually don’t have great off-seasons or draft classes in their first years (see Veach, Sneed, Lynch, Holmes, Roseman, Litch, etc). It’s a hard task to change quickly from one team to another in just the span of 2 months. Developmental players are a fine draft selections, the issue comes with either a lack of patience within the fanbase and/or the coaching staff not giving developmental players the chance to play. The Raiders are 2-10, the young developmental players should be in the games instead of the Pete Carroll veterans.
Carrol gets majority of the blame because of the flaws Las Vegas is showing, his offensive coordinator hire flopped, his ST coordinator retainment flopped, the veterans of Devin White, Tyler Lockett, Stone Forsythe, Geno Smith, Kyu Blu Kelly, etc playing over young developmental players is an issue. Their management of the offensive line, in game situations, and more is an issue. The Raiders are worse in 2025 than they were in 2024 and Carrol doesn’t have the year one HC excuse when he’s spent nearly 25+ years as a HC.
Q: If the Raiders can’t get the first overall pick, what would a package look like?
Based on the official trade package chart for 2026, the Raiders 3rd overall selection would be worth 2200 value (2nd overall is worth 2600) with the first overall being worth 3000. While direct comparison would indicate that likely just the 3rd overall selection and a 2nd rounder would apply, there’s going to be other teams interested that would drive up the cost. If the Giants or Titans hold the first overall selection and with both not having a need at QB, there’s a world where a team will offer a 2027 first overall pick in order to secure the rights to Fernando Mendoza.
Q: Are these QBs actually good?
Fernando Mendoza has shown time and time again he’s the guy to lead an NFL team. There’s issues in terms of the mental aspects and Mendoza trusting his arm a little too much at times but his ability to play in and out of structure, work through pressure, extend plays, understand defensive assignments, mechanics, and arm talent all show worthy of being a first round QB and with the likelihood he can anchor an offense for over a decade. Ty Simpson shows flashes of being a starting QB in the NFL but will need to refine his mental progressions before he is a legit top QB prospect. Simpson has started to flutter the second half of the season but he does still possess an NFL caliber arm, understanding of the pocket, and the ability to work through pressure and structure. Oregon’s Dante Moore joins Simpson and Mendoza and may be the best in the NFL longterm. Moore has an elite arm, exceptional ability to complete the deep pass along with lively touch, mobility, and mental traits. His main flaws come with a true lack of experience and with that consistency. Dante Moore may end up the 2nd overall selection but he likely can be the best with proper development, that’s if he declares. Keep an eye on Cincinnati QB Brennan Sorsby who has a special arm with good touch, layering, and velocity paired with phenomenal athleticism and movement skills. The biggest flaw will also come with consistency, and if he decides to forgo nearly 4 million in NIL money.
Q: Assuming they can land Mendoza, when would they address the OL
The Raiders are going to have north of 100 million in cap space this off-season, it’s a strong free agent market for offensive line with notable names at G, C, and some tackles as well. Overall, Las Vegas would have zero right to not spend on their offensive line and truly invest alongside Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson. Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant, and DJ Glaze still play a role in the Raiders offense somewhere and their development this season would show a lot, but Glaze has regressed and Rogers/Grant aren’t getting their chances. The draft is weak at T but deep at G and C till the fourth round or so. This is a year that Las Vegas can not miss out on for drafting and signing numerous members to add to their offensive line.
Top names to watch on the OL market this season: T Braden Smith (IND), T Rasheed Walker (GB), C Tyler Linderbaum (BAL), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (NYJ), G Joel Bitonio (CLE), G Wyatt Teller (CLE), G David Edwards (BUF), C Connor McGovern (BUF), C Cade Mays (CAR), T Jermaine Eluemunor (NYG), T Braxton Jones (CHI), C Josh Myers (NYJ), C Ethan Pocic (CLE)
Q: If they somehow miss on a QB, would it be smart to trade back and get capital for next year?
Yes, that would be the ideal world and it could be possible though there’s no world I would trade back and pass on possibly one of David Bailey, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, or Caleb Downs if they would be gone by the time you pick again. Additionally, don’t know how many teams would be all in on giving up 2027 draft capital with how deep that class looks.
Q: Best Day 2 strategies?
It all will depend on FA and the draft, like it does every year but that said, a strong approach is always towards adding talent at key positions. Right now, Las Vegas would probably focus on adding to their DBs, ILB, and possibly EDGE assuming QB and OL are taken care of before that. Another thing to note is that avoiding a QB in round 3 is likely a smart choice given the horrific hit rate on those selections. Las Vegas isn’t in a position after the first round (QB) to start and get sneaky or picky in day 2 and early day 3. The Raider roster is not good, that’s not a difficult thing to outline, but Las Vegas will need to continue addressing more young talent that can impact immediately.
Q: Favorite Day 2 OL Targets
It’s hard to tell right now who from this OL class will rise from round 2-4 to the first round and a good bet for me would be Iowa T Gennings Dunker, Utah T Caleb Lomu, and Arizona St T Max Iheanachor (big sleeper for me). I can also see Texas AM T/G Chase Bisontis and Texas T Trevor Goosby rising. In terms of potential true fits some of my personal sleepers in addition to those above would be: Ohio State G/T Austin Siereveld, NW T Caleb Tiernan, Indiana T Carter Smith, Illinois T JC Davis, Memphis G Chris Adams, Duke G Brian Parker II, Florida C Jake Slaughter, Texas AM G Chase Bisontis, and Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge. The center class isn’t overly strong so keep an eye on those to go earlier than expected. Despite having Jackson Powers-Johnson in the building, I do like a potential swing on Auburn’s Connor Lew who was a consensus round 1 prospect prior to an ACL tear.
Q: Do you think the Raiders will spend in free agency, even if they want to build through the draft. Is it possible to overspend/pay
I think they will spend, yes. I’m under the assumption Pete Carrol doesn’t return to LV in 2026 which I believe would be the trending notion for majority of the fanbase, media, and more. Pete Carrol never spent much in Seattle, the Buccaneers on the other hand did spend and I have a hard time imagining that philosophy didn’t get engrained on John Spytek. The Raiders will have over 100 million in cap space and could have north of 125 or more. Essentially, there’s no reason to not spend. They need to be calculated in how they spend, especially with just 31 players on the roster going into this off-season but Las Vegas easily can afford to swing big for some higher end free agents in the trenches, defensive 2nd and third levels, along with a big time playmaker at WR.
