{"id":851286,"date":"2026-04-03T13:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851286\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:59:15","slug":"las-vegas-raiders-earn-praise-for-pre-nfl-draft-fernando-mendoza-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851286\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas Raiders earn praise for pre-NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

College football<\/a> star Fernando Mendoza is the presumptive number one pick in the 2026 NFL<\/a> Draft, and the Las Vegas Raiders are already setting him up for success.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, the Raiders revealed that the AFC team is bringing in Kirk Cousins<\/a> for the 2026 NFL season. However, the move for the veteran quarterback is carefully positioning the franchise to prepare for the upcoming draft.<\/p>\n

MORE: Jim Rome unleashes epic rant about NFL \u2018knucklehead\u2019 Puka Nacua<\/a><\/p>\n

Former NFL linebacker Manti Te\u2019o believes that the addition of Cousins gives Las Vegas more stability as Mendoza prepares to make the leap to the next level. During \u201cGood Morning Football,\u201d Te\u2019o and the cast broke down what the Raiders are building ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

“I don’t even think I can summarize how great of an advantage it is for this young man”<\/p>\n

Manti sees the impact Kirk Cousins can have on the potential number 1 pick in Fernando Mendoza \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/0abuP0XnyH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Raiders have struggled to find continuity at the quarterback position over the years. That includes last season when the franchise experimented with current New York Jets signal caller Geno Smith. <\/p>\n

However, Te\u2019o and Co. are clearly high on co-owner Tom Brady\u2019s plans to rebuild the quarterback room in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even think I can summarize how great of an advantage it is for this young man,\u201d Te\u2019o said during Friday\u2019s \u201cGood Morning Football\u201d episode<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Will Mendoza start for the Raiders in 2026?<\/p>\n

Cousins is well-liked within NFL circles and his new contract with the Raiders gives the team flexibility. Some Raiders fans will likely want to see Mendoza on the field immediately. <\/p>\n

MORE: Former NFL player alleges Colts GM gave Andrew Luck retirement \u2018ultimatum\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Las Vegas is in a position where they can let the former Indiana star learn in Year 1 from the veteran.<\/p>\n

Brady is the perfect example of this scenario, despite being drafted much later by the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick and Co. continued with Drew Bledsoe behind center until a brutal injury sent Brady into action.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana Hoosiers Pro Day before the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

The beauty of the situation that Las Vegas is creating is that they aren\u2019t tied to Mendoza or Cousins for the first game of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Cousins is a capable veteran that can lead the team for the entire year if the franchise feels that the former Hoosiers star benefits from learning from the sidelines. However, Mendoza could easily step in as well if Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak sees positive signs.<\/p>\n

Brady\u2019s behind-the-scenes help will likely play a major role as well given his NFL pedigree and countless Super Bowl championships.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t