Raiders land Mendoza rumor
Field Yates’ updated two‑round mock — shifted by a blockbuster pre‑draft trade — projects the Raiders to hold the No. 1 spot and pick Heisman Trophy QB Fernando Mendoza. The mock maps 64 landing spots and forces teams to rethink trades and need out to April 23–25 in Pittsburgh. ( )
The “blockbuster” Yates pointed to was the Broncos’ deal that sent Jaylen Waddle and Miami’s 2026 fourth‑round pick (No. 111) to Denver in exchange for Denver’s 2026 first‑round pick (No. 30) plus Denver’s third‑ (No. 94) and fourth‑round (No. 130) selections, according to the Broncos’ announcement. (denverbroncos.com) Yates specifically noted five clubs that have already surrendered their original 2026 first‑round choices — Denver, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Green Bay — leaving those franchises to make their first 2026 selections in Round 2 under current trade terms. (espn.com) Las Vegas’ offseason spending included signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a three‑year, $81 million contract reported to include about $60 million guaranteed, a front‑office move widely cited as preparation for a top quarterback investment. (nfl.com) Fernando Mendoza’s résumé entering the draft includes the 2025 Heisman Trophy and leading the FBS with 33 passing touchdowns while throwing for 2,980 yards in Indiana’s unbeaten regular season, per Heisman Trust and NCAA stat reports. (heisman.com) Media consensus beyond Yates has repeatedly pegged Mendoza as the likely No. 1 choice — analysts such as Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah are among those listing Mendoza atop their early first‑round boards in recent mock drafts compiled by outlets tracking the Raiders’ presumed selection. (raiders.com) With Denver having dealt away its opening‑round slot, public draft‑order trackers show the Broncos’ next selection falling in Round 2 (No. 62) under the current slate of pick swaps and pending conditions. (prosportstransactions.com)
