Overview
- Owner Mark Davis, GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady attended the national championship in Miami to evaluate Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, with meetings in town also tied to the head-coach search.
- Analysts widely project Las Vegas to select Mendoza first overall, with recent evaluations noting comps ranging from Sam Darnold to Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan and Jared Goff.
- Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr clarified he backs drafting Mendoza at No. 1 only if the team fixes issues around him, urging additions rather than expecting a rookie to solve everything.
- Mock-draft projections include reuniting Mendoza with his Indiana target Elijah Sarratt at No. 36, citing the receiver’s 62 catches, 802 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025.
- Defensive star Maxx Crosby reiterated he wants to retire a Raider, reinforcing veteran stability as the franchise weighs a quarterback-led rebuild.