PHOENIX — The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, but the team’s leadership is unanimous in wanting a veteran starter to begin the season while Mendoza develops.
General manager John Spytek and coach Klint Kubiak both emphasized at the league meetings Tuesday that the ideal scenario is for a rookie to learn behind an established professional.
“I think in a perfect world, (a rookie) is watching a mature adult go run an offense and a team,” Kubiak said. “But you might not have that veteran. So that (rookie) might have to come in and play immediately.”
Mendoza, a national champion, has impressed with his poise and intelligence. Kubiak praised his accuracy, quickness, strength, height, and winning pedigree.
Spytek noted the importance of surrounding a young quarterback with talent and not burdening him with pressure. “We have 10 draft picks,” Spytek said. “I’d love for some of those guys to play and play well. But I don’t want them to feel burdened like they have to.”
The Raiders currently have only Aidan O’Connell under contract at quarterback, but Spytek indicated they will address the position in the coming weeks, likely by adding a veteran.
A key challenge is convincing that veteran to embrace a mentorship role. Kubiak clarified the coaching staff does not expect the veteran to teach. “We just want the guy to lead with his play and lead by example,” he said. “They have enough to worry about getting the ball out of their hand and not getting sacked. We just want them to play their best football and the young guy can learn from that.”
Kubiak acknowledged the possibility Mendoza could start immediately if no veteran is acquired, but the preference is to let him learn first. “You’d rather him learn before getting into a game but it doesn’t always work out exactly how you want,” Kubiak said.
Spytek emphasized the long-term vision of building a contender in the AFC West. “We have to go draft him first,” Kubiak said. “Between now and then, it’s about making the right decision with that first draft pick because it’s going to be really important.”
