Mendoza spoke about the Raiders’ fan base, saying, “I was here in Berkeley, Oakland, the Raiders fans are some of the best fans in all the NFL. They’re diehard, they’re loyal, and they really go all in for their team.” His comments underscore the high hopes surrounding a new era under center in Las Vegas.
General manager John Spytek outlined his pre-draft thought process, emphasizing that decisions hinge on whether a pick is worth making outright or if there’s value in listening to trades. “If there’s a player that we’re not as excited about, or there’s a group of players we’d love to pick from, and we can get value for that, then certainly open to listening to that,” he said.
The 3-round mock projects Mendoza as the Round 1 pick, followed by a modest trade-up in Round 2 and strategic depth adds in Round 3. The Raiders would acquire Caleb Banks, a 6’6”, 327-pound defensive tackle from Florida, at Pick 60 (via Chicago). They would also land Ted Hurst, a 6’4” wide receiver from Georgia State, at Pick 67, and Bud Clark, a Safety from TCU, at Pick 89 (via Chicago). The Bears would retain Pick 57 in the second round as part of the exchange.
Banks would bolster the middle of Las Vegas’s defensive line, even after undergoing foot surgery prior to the draft process. Hurst brings a high upside as a vertical threat with a strong athletic profile, while Clark would add safety depth and improve coverage and run support. Mendoza’s red-zone efficiency—highlighted as a standout attribute by evaluators—frames him as a quarterback who can translate high-pressure opportunities into points at the next level.
