Overview
- Las Vegas fell to 2-14 and can clinch the top selection with a loss to the Chiefs in Sunday’s season finale.
- Indiana’s Heisman winner strengthened his No. 1 draft projection with a Rose Bowl showing of 14-of-16 passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-3 win over Alabama.
- An assistant general manager told Jordan Schultz the team would welcome Mendoza while stressing Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty as building blocks and coaching as the key variable.
- With Geno Smith struggling and injured and a years-long quarterback carousel, multiple reports say it would be surprising if the Raiders do not draft a quarterback.
- Tom Brady praised Mendoza’s leadership, ESPN reported he is expected to declare for the draft, and analysts said his Rose Bowl performance solidified him as the likely top pick.