The Las Vegas Raiders' draft strategy focuses on surrounding future QB Fernando Mendoza with some options on the offense.
The Las Vegas Raiders most likely already know that Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft when it begins on April 23.
If he isn't the pick, it will be a massive surprise, and it could change everything on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
But, the assumption is that Mendoza is going to the Raiders, and the real question is what Las Vegas does after that.
ESPN insiders Jordan Reid, Matt Miller and others revealed the latest intel they have heard with the NFL Draft two weeks away, and for the Raiders, all the questions are what happens after No. 1.
"The best strategy with the remaining nine picks would be bolstering Mendoza's support system. Even though the Raiders took two wide receivers in last year's draft (Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech), it wouldn't be surprising for them to grab another pass catcher," Ryan McFadden wrote.
Some options named are Washington's Denel Boston and Indiana's Elijah Sarratt, the latter of which would pair Mendoza and Sarratt together, this time in the NFL.
The Raiders traded away Jakobi Meyers, and despite tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty on the offense, what they could use is a true WR1, which is why some have even suggested A.J. Brown as a trade target.
McFadden also added that safety and defensive tackle could be areas to address in the second round, which would mean waiting for Round 3 or Round 4 to select a WR, and there are plenty of pass-catchers in this year's draft class that appear ready to make an impact.
ESPN's Matt Miller also added that Boston has been linked to the Raiders, so there appears to be traction growing there.
Regardless, all signs point to the Raiders adding help for Mendoza in the second round and in other rounds of this draft, which certainly makes sense given they are putting all their eggs into the basket of the Heisman Trophy winner.
"Pick No. 1 won't be a surprise, but where the Raiders go at No. 36 is a question a lot of NFL decision-makers are pondering. Based on the intel I've gathered, it'll be a pick to support Mendoza. That might be a wide receiver or a right tackle, depending on who's available," Miller wrote.
The Raiders have plenty of picks to utilize this time around, with Nos. 1, 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 208 and 219, so GM John Spytek and company have some key decisions to make once the draft kicks off.