ESPN pinpoints the Las Vegas Raiders' key draft targets beyond expected QB pick: wide receiver and defensive tackle. Help arrives for Mendoza's support system.
Whenever a team comes off a three-win campaign, it is never a good sign. For the Las Vegas Raiders, however, positive vibes are already floating around Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick, have a new head coach in Klint Kubiak, and they spent a ton of money in free agency to revamp the roster and change some things around.
At this point, Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana Hoosiers star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, is pretty much locked in to being the first overall pick and the franchise QB for Las Vegas for years to come.
After that, questions remain, and ESPN revealed the biggest needs for the Raiders: Quarterback, wide receiver and defensive tackle.
Now, QB isn't really an issue, and Aidan O'Connell is still on the roster with Kirk Cousins also being viewed as a backup candidate.
ESPN's Ryan McFadden stated that the real question comes on Day 2.
"The Raiders using their Day 2 pick on either a wide receiver or a defensive tackle makes the most sense. Las Vegas is developing a nice support system for Mendoza."
Last year, the Raiders selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Brock Bowers is a young tight end who has shown promise in his brief NFL career.
The Raiders looked set to have an extra first-round pick before the Baltimore Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, so that changes things considerably for the time being.
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. was once viewed as an option, but he likely goes in the first round, meaning the Raiders won't be able to reunite Mendoza and Cooper in the NFL.
ESPN's Jordan Reid gave one player outside of Round 1 who fits the bill for Las Vegas, and it is Iowa State DT Domonique Orange, who Reid says is "one of the best interior run defenders."
Orange suffered a quad strain during the pre-draft process, but if he performs well at his Pro Day, it should be a good sign and he could be a second-round pick.
The Raiders, believe it or not, are trending in the right direction despite a frustrating 3-win season, a bad year from head coach Pete Carroll who went one and done, and an ugly, turnover-filled campaign from Geno Smith, who lasted just one year in town before being traded to the New York Jets.
Help is on the way, and it likely begins with Fernando Mendoza behind center.