The Las Vegas Raiders chose against aggressively addressing quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, which makes sense considering it was a weaker class. Plus, the team just traded for Geno Smith.
While Smith appears to be a good fit for what the Raiders are building, he’s also turning 35 during the season. Even if he’s excellent for the team in 2025, they do need to start thinking of their future at the position.
If the Raiders end up with a top-10 pick, this might be the year to finally find a young quarterback. The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner put together an early mock draft for 2026, and he has Las Vegas picking at No. 8 next year.
That may seem like a high pick to many fans, but it’s based on The Athletic’s win projection totals for 2025. Regardless, Baumgardner sees Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the move for the Raiders at No. 8 in 2026.
“As with every QB listed here, this is contingent on how Mendoza performs in 2025,” Baumgardner wrote. “Expectations are high, though, and for good reason. The 6-5, 225-pounder has a huge arm and has shown an ability to quickly process coverage while maintaining an ability to run. This season, he gets to work with Hoosiers offensive wizard Curt Cignetti.”
Scouts High on Mendoza
On paper, Mendoza has everything a team would want from a young quarterback. He’s big, he’s strong and can run.
Last season at Cal, he threw for 3,004 yards to go with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He transferred to Indiana, so he’ll be put to the test season.
One scout thinks he could be a major riser in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I really liked Mendoza’s tape,” an NFC area scout told ESPN. “He’s the one to circle that could be a bigger riser, and Cignetti has a great track record with transfer QBs.”
Obviously, a lot can happen during the college football season, so time will tell if Mendoza can live up to the hype. In the meantime, he should be a player the Raiders keep an eye on over the coming months.
Smith Could Have Career Year
While the Raiders do need to find a quarterback of the future soon, Smith could allow the team to be more patient if he has a big season. He’s put up some big numbers in the past, but could reach even higher highs this season.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently predicted that Smith could have a career season in his first year in Las Vegas.
“Smith’s current career high is the 4,320 he put up last season in Seattle behind a substandard offensive line,” Graziano wrote. “Las Vegas doesn’t have a great O-line, but there are signs that it should be better than what he had in Seattle. Plus, second-year tight end Brock Bowers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty bring explosiveness to the offense and will offer new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly the ability to get creative with alignments and play calls.
Smith wanted to be in Las Vegas and reunite with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, so he’s in a good headspace and playing some of the best football of his career.
Raiders Projected to Land 6-Foot-5 QB With ‘Huge Arm’ to Replace Geno Smith