Las Vegas’ wide receiver room is limited, with depth and proven top-tier talent lacking. To help Mendoza succeed, the Raiders could use more pass-catching weapons beyond star tight end Brock Bowers, especially after Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr. during their time at Indiana last season.
NFL.com’s Matt Okada floated a bold idea: trade back into the first round to secure Cooper, potentially moving up from No. 36 to No. 23 to pair Mendoza with his former Indiana target.
But the risk of moving up is real. Cooper might still be on the board at No. 36, and there’s a deep pool of wide receivers in this draft, which could allow Las Vegas to add talent without sacrificing a future first-round selection.
Cooper and Mendoza played together only for one season, so the chemistry isn’t proven beyond a single year. That reality makes some wary of a high-cost trade, though a fall to No. 36 would make pairing the two more appealing if the cost were reasonable, especially without surrendering future assets.
In the end, the Raiders face a balancing act between strengthening Mendoza’s immediate supporting cast and preserving long-term draft capital. No. 36 will offer intriguing WR options, and the team could also weigh selective trades that don’t jeopardize future picks.
