Raiders kind of just exposed part of their draft plan to a prospect during a NFL Combine formal meeting
The Raiders have loved meeting with these players at the NFL Combine.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been active this week as the new coaching staff attends its first NFL Combine. They also hold the No. 1 pick, and while everyone is curious, the signs seem to point to Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza.
However, Vegas has eight other picks in the draft to make. The Combine is also about gathering information from other players to help clarify draft strategies for the later rounds. While they’ve spoken with players at every position, their primary draft focus for the 2026 NFL Draft appears to be the cornerback (CB) position. Notably, they’ve spoken with Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds, one of the top performers this season. The only issue is that they may have revealed their draft intentions to him.
The Raiders had a formal Combine meeting with Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds
“They actually asked me if I would like to play with Fernando Mendoza. That would be a blessing for anybody to draft me. They’re getting a great quarterback, I got that question from them as well,” Ponds said when asked what Vegas is getting in Mendoza. “A guy who can do it all. He’s a smart guy who can break down your coverages, he knows what soverage you’re in. He can make any throw, and he’s also a mobile guy.”
In sharing this with Ponds, Vegas may have signaled that Mendoza is their likely pick at No. 1. While this outcome was widely expected, the team still hasn’t officially confirmed it and won’t do so until draft night. In the meantime, General Manager John Spytek has stated that they remain open to trade discussions regarding the top pick, even if no trade occurs.
Since he said that, people have come up with hypothetical draft-day trades, whether with the Arizona Cardinals or other teams. But it’s obvious that the Raiders are going to get their franchise quarterback, a guy who they obviously love. Not to mention, they have been trying for a franchise quarterback for some time now. This is an opportunity they cannot pass up, because you never know when it will come again.
Las Vegas Raiders News
Another NFL team that held a formal meeting with Fernando Mendoza suggested he do the oddest thing to keep from going to Vegas
The Raiders hope that doesn’t happen.
