Fernando Mendoza receives immediate boost as Raiders tipped to land ‘valuable’ weapon

Mar 17, 2026 - 11:15

The Las Vegas Raiders had an active and entertaining first week of NFL free agency.

Their initial offseason plans were scrapped when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a deal for Maxx Crosby.

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during warmups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 — Crosby was a Raven for a matter of days before the plug was pulled on the trade

But they quickly pivoted, adding multiple tools to fill holes on the roster, headlined by Tyler Linderbaum, who was made the highest-paid center in NFL history.

The Raiders will know that their receiving room will also need an upgrade, with Tre Tucker’s 696 yards leading the roster last year.

They have already added Jalen Nailor this offseason, but ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes they are not done adding reinforcements just yet.

“The Raiders will be running a [Kyle] Shanahan inspired offense under new coach Klint Kubiak,” Barnwell wrote.

“Jauan Jennings could step in as a reliable, valuable target for Mendoza in the short term, with the Raiders likely to find their eventual WR1 in the years to come.”

Jennings is entering the free agent market for the first time in his career, following five years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite never being the top option, in the shadows of Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall, Jennings was beloved by Niners fans for his clutch plays.

“He thrives on third downs and inside the red-zone, where teams really need their wide receivers to make plays,” Barnwell added.

The only concern around Jennings is his ability to stay on the field. He said he was playing through broken ribs and both low and high ankle sprains last year.

He is yet to complete a full 17-game season as a pro and has just one season over 700 receiving yards (975-yards in 2024).

Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a win against the Chicago Bears following the game at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. — Bill Barnwell has tipped the Raiders to sign Jauan Jennings to help Fernando Mendoza adjust

Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers gets set during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. — Jennings is yet to complete a full 17-game season, but is highly regarded for his performance in the redzone

Jennings could be key for Fernando Mendoza’s first NFL season

Raiders’ offseason spending frenzy is being done to make Fernando Mendoza’s adjustment to the NFL as smooth as possible.

One of the only positives out of the Raiders’ 3-14 record last season is that it landed them the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft, where it is highly-expected they will take the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback.

Nothing is ever certain when it comes to the NFL Draft, evidenced by Shedeur Sanders’ dramatic slide last year, but Mendoza is as close to a franchise quarterback as scouts have seen in a long time.

There are concerns about the potential environment that awaits him if selected, and who his NFL comparison is, but it’s highly likely he will be donning a Raiders cap come April.

However, it’s not guaranteed that if drafted, Mendoza will immediately slot into the starting role, with the Raiders exploring deals for veteran quarterbacks including Kirk Cousins.

But when the torch is passed, Mendoza will need weapons in order for him to succeed immediately.

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers — Mendoza is highly likely to become a Las Vegas Raider in April, despite some concerns

Jennings, and his ‘clutch gene’, could be the perfect asset for the 22-year-old who may well be the centerpiece of the Raiders’ new era.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.