Raiders now know they can get Fernando Mendoza the perfect weapon after seeing an elite NFL Combine performance
The Raiders need some weapons for Mendoza.
The Las Vegas Raiders are most likely taking Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall—we all know that. However, putting the rest of the draft class together is what we don’t know.
Vegas needs a ton of things on both sides of the ball. They need help on the offensive line, the defensive line, the secondary, the linebacker room, and basically anywhere that’s not the QB (after Mendoza), running back, or tight end positions. That includes wide receiver, where the Raiders need a few guys capable of starting and definitely some depth. This draft class has some really good guys at the position. On Saturday, Vegas got to see what some of those guys can do historically and, of course, have formal meetings with them, too.
One of the guys who stole the show on Saturday for the WR group was former Oklahoma Sooners and Mississippi Bulldogs WR Brenen Thompson. He has the fastest 40-yard dash of anyone this year, but his size may make him fall in the draft. However, Thompson is good and could be a great Tre Tucker replacement.
So, who is Thompson? What kind of player would the Raiders be getting? I asked Adam Holt, a college football analyst at A to Z Sports, about the speedy 5’9” receiver, who is among the top downfield threats in this draft.
Raiders should look into WR Brenen Thompson
Thompson’s height/weight combo is closer to that of an everyday guy. That being said, he’s in a world of his own when it comes to speed. That was on full display during his final collegiate season, playing in a Jeff Lebby offense that wanted to get vertical and push the ball downfield to Thompson. He was the electric factor to the unit and used his blazing athleticism to blow by defenders at every turn.
The Bulldogs product totaled 1,054 yards on 57 catches with six touchdowns. With better QB play for much of the season, those numbers could’ve looked a lot more like 65 receptions for 1,300 yards and eight TDs. Alas, his production in 2025 proved that his play style can be successful under the right circumstances. Thompson’s transition to the NFL won’t be a simple one, but his unbelievable downfield ability and potential on screens/designed quick looks in the passing game, thanks to his speed, give him an intriguing ceiling that may go as early as the third round.
According to Next Gen Stats, the Bulldogs WR reached a top speed of 23.95 mph on his 4.26-second 40-yard dash attempt. That maximum speed was faster than Xavier Worthy, who ran 23.62 mph on his record-setting 4.21 attempt at the 2024 combine.
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.
