Overview
- The Heisman-winning Indiana quarterback completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns against Oregon, reinforcing projections and betting odds that favor him at No. 1 to Las Vegas.
- Raiders GM John Spytek attended the Oregon–Indiana game to scout Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, with Moore declining to say if he will declare for the draft after the loss.
- Opinions remain split on strategy as Brady Quinn touts Moore’s upside if he enters the draft and a Las Vegas columnist urges the team to keep the pick and select Mendoza.
- Critics including Kurt Benkert and coach Jason Brown recommend caution or trading down, citing the Raiders’ broad roster needs and questions about Mendoza’s deep-ball profile.
- Organizational context looms large with Pete Carroll fired, Tom Brady expected to shape the offseason, and Geno Smith under a two-year, $75 million deal that carries an $18.5 million dead cap hit if cut this year.