Since the NFL/AFL merger in 1967, 13 teams have traded out of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Raiders, owners of the No. 1 choice this year, will not add to the total. To no surprise, the Raiders plan on using the pick, which is “virtually unattainable,” per Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.
The Silver and Black prevailed over the Giants in a late-season chess match to finish last. The Raiders secured the selection after shutting down their two best players, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Browers, ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Giants. While it didn’t go over well with Crosby, now the subject of ongoing trade rumors, the Raiders locked up last place with a 34-10 loss.
Had the Giants fallen to the Raiders and ended the season 32nd, a trade involving the No. 1 pick may have been more realistic. After all, the Giants are optimistic they have an answer at quarterback in 2025 first-rounder Jaxson Dart.
With Dart in tow, the Giants would have been in prime position to receive a haul for No. 1 overall. The same is true of the Raiders, but unlike the Giants, they are in dire need of a prized young quarterback. They are certain to take Indiana Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza with their pick.
If this year’s class featured other high-end QB prospects, perhaps the Raiders would entertain moving down. But there is no surefire first-round passer available beyond Mendoza. Arch Manning returning to Texas and Dante Moore staying at Oregon no doubt crushed some QB-starved teams’ hopes.
With Manning and Moore putting off the NFL for another year, Raiders part-owner Tom Brady – arguably the greatest QB of all-time – is dead set on Mendoza.
“You aren’t getting that pick from Brady,” a GM in the market for QB help told La Canfora.
In 2020, with LSU’s Joe Burrow looking like a generational prospect, the Dolphins reportedly offered the Bengals four first-rounders for No. 1. That wasn’t enough for the Bengals to pass on Burrow, who has lived up to the hype when healthy.
On the possibility of a similar offer for Mendoza, a GM said to La Canfora: “Is somebody going to throw three ones (first-round picks) at them to draft the kid from Indiana? That’s not going to happen. They’re drafting the quarterback.”
Mendoza is a strong prospect, but he isn’t on the level Burrow was when the latter was on his way to the pros. With that in mind, it’s unlikely another team would mortgage the future for Mendoza in the way the Dolphins would have for Burrow.
When Mendoza’s move to Las Vegas becomes official in April, he’ll form an enticing duo with rookie head coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders are understandably eager to pair Mendoza with Kubiak, whom they hired after he won Super Bowl LX as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator last season.
Kid comes outta nowhere his senior year and (in contrast to his previous seasons) lights it up to go undefeated, a Heisman AND a Championship
That’s rarified trifecta for anyone much less a previous “who?”
I wouldn’t say he came out of nowhere. He was ranked QB3 on many boards before the season started.
He definitely didn’t come out of nowhere. He was viewed as a borderline 1st rounder coming into the season.
No news here! Las Vegas should listen to offers for due diligence but you don’t tank on purpose for the right to trade out of #1.
The giants tried to tank, but they failed once again.This year. vegas and jets did a better job tanking
Jets still need a QB and really after Mendoza, there’s none…maybe they try Carson Beck in the 2nd round ??
The Raiders finally get their franchise QB!
shocking that Brady fell in love with the hardworking humble kid who has never been in trouble. Who does Mendoza play like? Just curious to hear the comps.
A lot of people have dropped Jared Goff comps, since he gets by more on decision-making and accuracy than elite tools and wow plays. But he’s also more mobile than Goff, even if you wouldn’t call him a serious running threat.
What next you’re gonna tell me water is wet
Will he drink a purple syrup like their last #1 QB pick?
I mean, how much confidence do they have in Mendoza? The Raiders aren’t a QB away from contention and even if they were, Mendoza won’t deliver it in year one. They’re going to be in the running for the top pick next year regardless.
If someone DID offer the Raiders 3 first rounders, wouldn’t Vegas be better off using those to build up the whole team and drafting a QB in the top 5 next year?
Some people on here made this argument about the Patriots trading down two years ago instead of taking Maye. You just don’t know where you’ll be picking or what a draft will look like. If you need a quarterback and you’re in position to draft a guy you think is a franchise quarterback, you don’t trade out.
I just wonder whether Mendoza really is a franchise guy or if he’s getting pumped up because the draft class for QB is terrible.
Obviously they have a lot of confidence otherwise they would be listening to offers. This kid – should – end up being a top 10 QB in the league within a few years, you can’t pass it up. Adding Mendoza, a few more picks and a whole lot of cap room will at least improve the team as a whole tremendously this year. It may take a year or so to have all of the new guys gel but it can’t be any worse that Gino and Pete.
Also, even if Manning and Moore were in the draft they would be picked after Mendoza. Those two aren’t that great and I don’t understand all the hype.
I doubt Kubiak signs up without assurances that they would take Mendoza. It will be interesting to see if he’s any good in the league or not. Bowers helps.
Shouldn’t it be unobtainable instead of unattainable?
Raiders better invest in their OL if they want Mendoza to succeed….