Barring something unforeseen, the expectation is the Las Vegas Raiders will take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The Raiders desperately need a quarterback and now that Mendoza has officially declared for the draft, it would be shocking if they pass on him.
Granted, a lot can happen between now and the draft during the evaluation process, but it would take a lot to knock Mendoza off his perch as the top quarterback and one of the best players in the class.
As we know, where a young quarterback lands can play a huge role in how successful the player ultimately is.
Knowing that, here's a look at what Mendoza would be walking into if the Raiders do indeed draft him.
Are Raiders a good landing spot for Mendoza?
We do believe the Raiders offer a positive landing spot for Mendoza.
Sure, the franchise has a history of dysfunction unlike many others, and that's been especially true with Las Vegas' failures at head coach in recent years.
But Mendoza will also have arguably the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady to help guide him, which gives Mendoza an invaluable resource.
The presence of Brady also means there's less of a chance for dysfunction throughout the franchise.
Then there's the weapons. The Raiders offer a good foundation on that front.
Las Vegas sports a promising young running back in Ashton Jeanty, who showed superstar potential in his first season despite a disastrous situation around him.
The Raiders also have arguably the best tight end in the NFL in Brock Bowers, who is a one-of-a-kind talent at the position and, like Jeanty, will help take pressure off Mendoza.
What the Raiders are lacking in their passing game are established weapons at wide receiver.
Tre Tucker is Las Vegas' best receiver, but he's more suited as a No. 3 in an offense. Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton didn't do much in their rookie campaigns, so the jury is still out on the young pass-catchers.
The Raiders' offensive line, which finished 22nd in pass-block win rate in 2025, is a concern, but that is typically the case for teams drafting as high as Las Vegas is.
But the unit is anchored by an established left tackle in Kolton Miller, and there are some promising young pieces throughout the group with guys like Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers and DJ Glaze.
The Raiders have a boatload of cap space, with Las Vegas projected to have $82.4 million available for free agency. General manager John Spytek is also working with an estimated 10 picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
All of that means the Raiders can go out and quickly add talent around Mendoza, especially along the offensive line and at wide receiver, where they should be looking to make some big splashes via trade and/or free agency.
Las Vegas still has to hire a head coach and an offensive coordinator, two roles that will be massively important for the Indiana star.
However, the expectation is that the Raiders are going to hire an offensive-minded head coach, with two popular names being Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Davis Webb.
Both coaches are well-respected offensive minds. Kubiak oversaw one of the best offenses in the NFL this past season. Webb played a huge role in the development of Bo Nix, so he has a history of success helping to groom a young quarterback.
Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL, but when piecing it all together in this particular case, the Raiders are a good landing spot for Mendoza.
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