Raiders are showing they are making a conscious effort in building around their future quarterback before he’s ever worn Silver and Black
The want Fernando Mendoza to have a seamless transition.
The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t even drafted Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza yet, and still, they are already showing they are ready to make his transition to the Silver and Black seamless.
Raiders are building around Fernando Mendoza before he even gets drafted
To start Monday, the Raiders agreed to terms with Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, not long after they agreed to terms with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor on a three-year deal worth $35 million, including $23 million guaranteed.
It’s pretty obvious by now that the Raiders are going to draft Mendoza, and they are going to put weapons around him. This move allows the Raiders to still have an option for a WR1 in the 2026 NFL Draft if they want to go that route, while also leaving room for a potential breakout guy in Nailor.
To get more info on Nailor, I reached out to A to Z Minnesota’s Tyler Forness:
“The wide receiver position has been great for the Vikings over the last few years. They have hit big on Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the NFL Draft, and the latest player is Nailor. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he became the WR3 in 2024. Over the past two seasons, Nailor has shown himself to be a capable player, and J.J. McCarthy trusted him in key situations with the game on the line, connecting on multiple slot fades. Nailor is going to be a really good fit in any offense with his speed and route-running ability, but those who run offenses from the Shanahan or McVay tree will especially like Nailor due to his excellent blocking ability.”
The Raiders’ wide receiver room before the draft and before free agency even begins will look pretty good on paper. They have Nailor, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton, Tre Tucker, and potentially a few other pieces on the way. Not to mention, they also have the best tight end in the league in Brock Bowers. This is a good signing by general manager John Spytek.
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