New Raiders Rumors Reveal Plan to 'Support' Fernando Mendoza with Key Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly plan to use their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft to make the transition to the league easier for the projected No. 1 overall selection.

Provided the Raiders take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, as expected, the No. 36 overall pick will be made with an eye toward lending "support" to the young signal-caller, per ESPN's Matt Miller.

Miller did not lock in on a specific position the Raiders are going to target at No. 36, but he did mention wide receiver and right tackle as possibilities, depending on who is available.

He continued by saying that Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston has been "connected" to the Raiders, which could be a sign that Vegas will consider taking him if he is still on the board at No. 36.

Mendoza is coming off an all-time great collegiate season, as completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 276 yards and seven scores.

Fernando Mendoza highlights

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On top of that, Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and its first national championship, and he won the Heisman Trophy.

Given the Raiders' desperate need at quarterback and the fact that Mendoza appears to clearly be the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft class, there has never been much of a question regarding whether Las Vegas intends on taking him.

If that happens, Mendoza will have a handful of solid players to work with on offense, including second-year running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers, left tackle Kolton Miller, right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and newly signed center Tyler Linderbaum.

However, as pointed out by Miller, there are major question marks at both wide receiver and right tackle as of now.

The Raiders do have some talent at wideout in Tre Tucker, 2025 second-round pick Jack Bech, 2025 fourth-round pick Dont'e Thornton Jr. and free-agent signing Jalen Nailor, but none of them have come close to establishing themselves as No. 1 options.

Pairing Mendoza with a second-round receiver could work wonders for his development, much like the Cincinnati Bengals did in 2020 when they took quarterback Joe Burrow first overall and wide receiver Tee Higgins in the second, before adding a superstar wideout in Ja'Marr Chase in the first round the following year.

The Raiders have needs up and down their roster, but it won't be at all surprising if their primary focus is surrounding Mendoza with the pieces he needs in order to be successful.