Raiders GM Talks Fernando Mendoza-Kirk Cousins QB Battle, Reveals NFL Draft Trade Conversations

Basically everybody has expected the Las Vegas Raiders to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick. And at this point, general manager John Spytek is barely being cagey with those plans.

He spoke to reporters on Tuesday, and many of his answers were an indication that Mendoza is their guy, with only a touch of reading between the lines needed:

Basically all of the reporting on the situation has also indicated that Mendoza will be the top overall selection:

Even veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins—who may open the season as the starter if the Raiders choose to bring Mendoza along slowly, but probably won't handle that role for long—has publicly assumed that Mendoza will be a Raider:

The Vegas quarterback situation will be an interesting one to follow this summer. Cousins has been pretty awful over the past two seasons (11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 24 sacks taken, 6-7 record over his last 13 starts), while Mendoza just capped off a historic season for Indiana and looks about as pro-ready as they come. Unless the Raiders are hell-bent on sitting Mendoza early, he has an excellent chance to earn the starting job immediately.

Time will tell. What is far more certain is that Mendoza is heading to Sin City.