Klint Kubiak has taken over as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now it’s time for him to find his starting quarterback.
Uncovering one who can help the Raiders reach the promised land, just as Sam Darnold did with the Seahawks, with Kubiak calling plays, won’t be easy. But at least Kubiak knows what a championship team looks like.
The good news is the Raiders possess the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, where college football national champion Fernando Mendoza is expected to become the top selection in April.
Recently, ESPN’s Field Yates called Mendoza the “ideal fit” for coach Kubiak’s offense in Las Vegas.
“As the Raiders embark upon a new era with Klint Kubiak at head coach, Mendoza is the ideal partner to pair with him. He had a remarkable season in 2025, displaying elite accuracy and overall arm talent to throw to all levels of the field. He improved his pocket awareness and was fantastic in clutch moments, leading the Hoosiers to their first undefeated record and a national championship. Mendoza brings a strong frame and in-pocket mobility with enough creativity to handle duress out of structure. And his quick-processing skills point to a successful starting NFL QB.”
ESPN’s Field Yates on Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders have two more months to evaluate Mendoza before deciding who they want to take with the No. 1 pick. For now, Mendoza is the obvious choice to be the top pick. Unless the Raiders find a new QB before April 23, expect the pick to be Mendoza.
Last year, the Raiders took a chance on former Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith, who’s still under contract for 2026. While Smith may return to Vegas, the Raiders need to find someone who can push him for the starting job, and as Yates said, Mendoza may be the ideal fit.
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