Not lengthy after a story prompt that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson might wish to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, Mike Florio of Professional Soccer Speak mentioned that Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady might “take a giant swing…if Jackson is able to take his bat and ball to a brand new metropolis.”
The Raiders clearly would not spend the primary decide of the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback in the event that they acquired Jackson forward of the player-selection course of. In his mock draft posted on Wednesday morning, well-known ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. appeared to say lots in regards to the Jackson-Raiders rumors when Kiper predicted that Las Vegas will seize Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with general decide No. 1.
Raiders have “simple” resolution between Fernando Mendoza, Lamar Jackson?
“That is a straightforward one,” Kiper wrote. “…Mendoza might be a part of Joe Burrow and Cam Newton in going undefeated for the season, profitable the Heisman Trophy and the nationwide championship, and going No. 1 within the draft all inside a 12-month window. Mendoza transferred to the Hoosiers from Cal and instantly leveled up, throwing 41 landing passes and simply six interceptions in 2025. I see nice ball placement on the tape, and he is a no brainer to start Spherical 1. Las Vegas might begin to construct one thing offensively right here with Mendoza, working again Ashton Jeanty and tight finish Brock Bowers.”
Not like Mendoza, Jackson is a confirmed commodity who’s in his bodily prime and has two MVP Awards on his profession resume. Brady allegedly thought the 2025 Raiders had a roster able to profitable greater than three video games, so it is truthful to surprise if he would push common supervisor John Spytek to provide a to-be-hired head coach Jackson as a substitute of Mendoza as his QB1.
Why Raiders would decide Fernando Mendoza over Lamar Jackson
Mendoza’s expertise apart, historical past reveals that common managers and first-year head coaches want to be married to thrilling quarterback prospects on rookie contracts. Jackson signed a five-year contract
reportedly price as much as $260M with $185M assured within the spring of 2023, and he is trying to ink a profitable extension this offseason.
Moreover, there are issues about Jackson’s sturdiness. Injuries brought about him to overlook 11 video games (playoffs included) from Week 1 of the 2021 season by way of the 2022 marketing campaign. Extra just lately, he was limited to 13 begins this season attributable to hamstring and back points.
