Mendoza Was Step One... Here’s What’s Next for the Raiders

RAIDERS DRAFT MENDOZA… NOW WHAT?

PICK NO. 36 TARGETS & DAY 2 PLAN

Tonight’s podcast breaks down everything the Fernando Mendoza selection means for the Raiders — from why John Spytek and the front office were so sold on him, to how Mendoza fits in Klint Kubiak’s offense, to what comes next as Vegas enters Day 2 with Pick No. 36. I also dive into the top remaining prospects on the board, how I think the Raiders will approach the second round, and which players make the most sense as they continue building around their new quarterback. If you want the full reaction, real insight, and a look ahead to tomorrow night, make sure to watch the full episode linked above.

TL;DR ON THE TOP AVAILABLE PROSPECTS

With Fernando Mendoza officially in the fold, all eyes now shift to Pick No. 36 — where the Raiders should have a real chance to land another impact player. My top name still on the board is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo), a versatile, tone-setting defensive back who can play in the box, match up in coverage, and create turnovers. He feels like the kind of modern chess piece that could unlock Rob Leonard’s defense immediately.

Next up is Kaden McDonald (DT, Ohio State), one of the best pure run defenders left in the draft. At 326 pounds, he can anchor the middle, eat double teams, and free up linebackers like Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to run and hit. If the Raiders want to get tougher in the trenches and build from the inside out, McDonald makes a ton of sense. It might even make sense for them to take him over EMW if they’re both there, given the ripple effect of adding a guy like him.

Then there’s Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) — the big-bodied X receiver this offense still needs. At 6-foot-4, Boston brings catch radius, red-zone value, and contested-catch ability that would pair beautifully with Mendoza’s pinpoint accuracy. If the Raiders want to give their new quarterback a true boundary weapon, Boston could be the move.

Speaking of the new quarterback, we all know he was the consensus top QB in the draft, but the Raiders had to arrive at that conclusion for themselves. Keep scrolling to find out how they got there.

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WHY THE RAIDERS ULTIMATELY CHOSE FERNANDO

This was such a strange draft night because there was never much real suspense about what the Raiders were going to do with the No. 1 overall pick. We’ve been talking about Fernando Mendoza to Las Vegas for months, so by the time commissioner Roger Goodell stepped to the podium, it almost felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. But that shouldn’t diminish how massive this moment was for the franchise. The Raiders believe they found their quarterback of the future — and for the first time in a long time, there’s real hope around the most important position in sports for the Silver and Black.

When John Spytek explained why Mendoza was the choice, he made it clear the fit with Klint Kubiak’s offense was a major factor. Spytek called him a “great scheme fit,” pointing to his size, accuracy, athleticism for boots and rollouts, and ability to see and attack all areas of the field thanks in part to his size — all traits that matter in a movement-based, play-action system. Mendoza echoed that belief afterward, saying he had already been working on under-center mechanics and “general West Coast concepts,” which fall under the same coaching tree. He added that the scheme allows the quarterback to be a “point guard,” distributing the ball to the Raiders’ many playmakers and doing his “1/11th” within the offense.

The Raiders were also sold on what happens between Mendoza’s ears. Spytek revealed the team put him through a film session at the combine and came away impressed by his recall, saying Mendoza could identify plays from earlier in the season before the tape even rolled and explain exactly what he saw — including mistakes he should have corrected. Then there was the poise. Spytek said the moment was “never too big for him,” praising the way Mendoza handled third downs and late-game situations throughout the season. Preparation, toughness, and calm under pressure were recurring themes. Now the next chapter begins: turning all of those traits into wins in Silver and Black.

FANSHOTZ FRIDAY

By now, you have seen the phenomenal photos we’ve been using in many of our newsletters. They’re some of the best shots you’ll find of your favorite team, captured through the lens of our friend Arnie Bazemore of Fanshotz.com. Every Friday, we’ll feature Arnie’s favorite Raiders shot of the week that he captures at practice or on game day.

This isn’t your typical Fan Shotz Friday", this week we’re featuring a clip Arnie snagged from the Raiders’ official draft party at the Palms. It’s Raider Nation’s reaction the moment the Silver and Black selected Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. One hell of a moment if you ask me.

Check out Arnie’s work at his site linked above and reach out if you’re interested in working with him. He’s a great guy and has been so supportive of me over the years when I was at NBC here in Vegas, and he’s come along for the ride with Silver & Black Sports Network, too.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Raiders will officially introduce Fernando Mendoza to the world at 1 p.m. today, then day two of the NFL Draft get rolling at 4 p.m. and we’ll be down at Raiders HQ for it all, including day three of the NFL Draft. So stay tapped into us on YouTube and Twitter (X) for all of our draft coverage leading into the weekend. We’ll drop new shows following each day, breaking down the Raiders’ moves and what comes next.

Catch ya next time,