Pick: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Analysis: “I feel more confident Mendoza will go first overall than I do that he’ll be a Raider. It’s early in the evaluation process, but on the field, talent-wise, the distance between Mendoza and the next QB in this year’s class in my model was the biggest I’ve seen in at least the past eight seasons (since I have modeled in the way I do now). Given the amount of cap space AND needs that the Raiders have, the franchise might be better off trying to trade the pick for a huge haul. Given the market-resetting trade the Colts offered the Jets to acquire CB Sauce Gardner, can you imagine what might be possible for a 1.01 QB now? If a bounty like that is out there, it’s at least worth the Raiders’ consideration.”