The Las Vegas Raiders have a clear path to their quarterback future, but could need some help getting there.
The team is expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in April’s NFL draft, but one analyst suggested they could grab a longtime veteran to start until Mendoza is ready.
Kirk Cousins Could Help Set QB Future in Las Vegas
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport identified one free agent for all 32 NFL teams to sign before the season starts, suggesting the Raiders add veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“However, just because Mendoza is the future under center in Sin City doesn’t mean he should be the present,” Davenport wrote. “And with Aidan O’Connell the only QB currently on the roster, the Raiders need a bridge starter who can hold down the fort until Mendoza is ready to take over the offense.”
Davenport added that Cousins was competent enough during his time with the Atlanta Falcons, and could play a similar role that he had with Michael Penix.
“Kirk Cousins wasn’t great in 10 games (and eight starts) for the Atlanta Falcons,” Davenport wrote. He completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. But he is a four-time Pro Bowler with 167 career starts in the NFL under his belt.
“Whether it’s as a veteran stopgap or a mentor for Mendoza, it makes sense to bring in the 37-year-old.”
Raiders Moving in on Fernando Mendoza
There appears to be little doubt that the Raiders will land Mendoza with their top pick. Raiders general manager spoke about Mendoza’s pro day performance in an appearance on ESPN’s “NFL Live,” saying it was one of the best performances he had ever seen from a quarterback.
“I think at any pro day, you just want to see guys compete and show up and be there for their teammates and put their best foot forward,“ Spytek said. “I’ve been to a lot of great pro days in my career. I remember a lot of them, the best ones I’ve ever been a part of.
“Mostly when you go see these quarterbacks, they do an elite job. It’s a show. It’s scripted, and they know exactly what they’re doing and where they’re throwing it. Most of the time, you walk away being like, ‘That was a pretty good pro day.’ “
Spyek held back on tipping off the team’s pick, but made it clear that they like Mendoza and were impressed with Indiana’s run to a national title this year.
“We’ve got a long way to go there, but I just love the way he competes,” Spytek added.
It remains unclear whether the Raiders will push for Mendoza to start right away, though many expect the team will bring on another veteran who can serve as a bridge starter until he is ready. Others have joined Davenport in suggesting that Cousins would be a logical target, a steady and tested quarterback who would be able to start for however long the team might need him.
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