John Spytek and Klint Kubiak have their marching orders: fix the trenches next. If Seattle proved anything, it’s that real rebuilds start from the inside out. It won’t be any different for these Las Vegas Raiders.
It goes without saying that no one knows exactly what the plans are for on draft day. While many assumed Spytek would get to work at the outset of free agency, no one would’ve predicted just how aggressive the Raiders would be. There’s no reason to believe that things would be any different in the player’s selection meeting.
Fernando Mendoza will surely be the No. 1 pick on the opening night but the real work commences on Day 2 as the second and third round selections will be just as available.
Let’s assume Kubiak attempts to replicate what many of the stronger NFL teams have done, which is making the trenches the ultimate strength. He’ll have Maxx Crosby coming off the edges but the rest of the defensive line is far from a sure thing.
The same thing goes for the offensive line. In particular, they need a right guard to hold down the position for the long run. Luckily for the Raiders, there might be an answer for that too. Let’s take a look.
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Addressing the trenches must be the priority…
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza is a pocket passer who makes smart decisions; that’s quite obvious. He places the ball accurately and has enough arm strength to attack tight windows without taking unnecessary risks. His ability to avoid turnovers and protect the football fits naturally into what Kubiak wants to do offensively, where timing and efficiency matter as much as big plays.
What stands out on tape is how he processes the game. Mendoza works through his reads, stays calm under pressure and delivers from tight pockets. That composure, combined with a toughness to absorb contact, matters for a team still building its offensive line.
The limitations are real. He is not a running threat, which means the offense has to be disciplined in protection and route execution to create off-schedule plays. His footwork can get inconsistent, which affects his timing at the top of his drop. Those are fixable, but they need attention.
The intangibles check out. Mendoza is intelligent and competitive and has been tested against good competition. For a Raiders organization building the right way, Mendoza offers a stable, high-floor starting profile with enough arm talent to keep defenses honest. How high he goes depends on refinement, not reinvention.
More: Fernando Mendoza silenced doubters on his Pro Day
Round 2, No. 36: Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
Miller is a run defender who does not need to be schemed around. He posted one of the highest run-stop grades in the entire draft class, plays with violent hands and stays low consistently, generating real push at the point of attack. He reads blocks quickly, pursues down the line with relentless effort and has the balance to hold up against double teams for a player his size. His ability to control two gaps at once is real and translates to the next level.
The pass rush is a work in progress, which is fine; there’s a reason he’s not a first-round selection. He has shown flashes with a bull rush and a developing swim move, but that part of his game needs time to become a reliable weapon in the NFL.
Miller’s versatility is a genuine asset. He’s lined up everywhere from nose tackle to five-technique, giving a defensive coordinator real options and multiple looks. He fits best in a scheme that uses multiple fronts and values that kind of flexibility.
The shoulder injury needs a close look during medicals. But if he checks out physically, Miller is a high-floor interior defender who can contribute against the run from Day 1, with real upside waiting if his pass rush develops into something more.
Related: Scouting 3 defensive tackles to target on Day 2
Round 3, No. 67: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Rutledge carries a reputation as the meanest player in this draft class, and the tape backs it up. At 6-foot-3 and 316 pounds, he brings a near-prototypical blend of size, athleticism and length for an NFL guard. His feet are quick and light, his pad level stays consistent, and he covers ground fast enough to pick up looping rushers, late blitzers or bail out a tackle in trouble.
What separates Rutledge is his disposition. He is a natural mauler who finishes blocks with his opponent on the ground, hunts for extra work and competes on every snap like it is personal. That kind of toughness is difficult to coach and impossible to fake.
The one weakness is directly tied to his greatest strength. His aggression can get ahead of him in pass protection when he overcommits. That needs to be reined in at the next level.
For a Raiders offensive line still finding its identity, Rutledge offers something rare: a guard who is technically sound and genuinely nasty. That combination does not come around often.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images
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