Tom Brady must target young Sean McVay and unsettled Cowboys star to avoid failing Fernando Mendoza

The first overall pick usually walks into a nightmare situation — and at first glance it appears that Fernando Mendoza will do just that.

After all, there is a reason the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock and looking for a new head coach.

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Veteran coach Pete Carroll linked up with his former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith via a trade in 2025.

Smith endured a torrid season behind one of the league’s worst O-lines and a poor receiving corps and Carroll was fired on Black Monday.

The QB’s $75 million contract — with $66,500,000 guaranteed — was a costly mistake.

Thankfully, it was front-loaded and the Raiders can move on for a manageable $18.5 million dead cap hit.

Per Over the Cap, only the Tennessee Titans have more than Las Vegas $81.3 million in space for 2026.

With lots to spend in free agency and 10 draft picks — including three fourth-rounders — there is plenty for general manager Jon Spytek and minority owner-cum-advisor Tom Brady to work with.

How will the Raiders offense look in 2026?

Assuming Mendoza is indeed selected first overall — and everything from Dante Moore returning to college and Brady’s comments suggest he will be — the Raiders will have a promising young quarterback to build around.

There is no such thing as a sure thing, and has Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have shown, even a good quarterback can fail if they land in the wrong situation.

Raiders have worst O-line in NFL

His offensive line needs to be addressed either via the draft or free agency. In truth, it will probably take both.

PFF ranked the Raiders 32nd of 32 teams last season as the unit gave up 47 sacks — 12 more than any other group.

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Left tackle Kolton Miller — a first-round pick in 2018 — will boost the front after going down injured in September.

His replacement Stone Forsythe gave up a league-high 13 sacks to highlight a lack of depth, and right tackle DJ Glaze surrendered 10. An upgrade is desperately needed on that side, as well as the interior.

Teams are quick to lock up talented linemen but Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo is available.

Vegas must roll dice on a wide receiver

A day two receiver would boost a room currently spearheaded by Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr.

Mendoza’s Indiana teammate Elijah Sarratt could fit the bill perfectly and provide familiarity after taking 53 receptions for 957 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.

Another Hoosier — Omar Cooper Jr. — is also being linked after tying the program’s single-game record with a 207-yard, four-touchdown explosion in Week 3.

There is, of course, the prospect of signing free agent George Pickens after a breakout as a Dallas Cowboy.

The rest of the skill positions are promising.

Running back Ashton Jeanty was selected with the No. 6 pick for a reason and only struggled to show it as the O-line and Smith struggled.

Of his 1,321 total yards, 1,021 came after contact, which says everything you need to know about the quality of his opportunities.

Jeanty is also underrated as a receiver and should be used more often as an safety valve for his QB.

For a team so short of talent, Las Vegas looks great at tight end.

Michael Mayer might be the best TE2 in the NFL and Brock Bowers is a monster.

Fernando Mendoza needs an offensive mind to ease NFL transition

All the talent in the world is of no use if the coaches don’t know how to use it.

The Raiders have misfired massively in their new era with Brady on board and cannot afford more errors.

Carroll was a defensive coach and the decision to go with Chip Kelley as offensive coordinator on a massive contract was a blunder, leaving a hot mess for Smith to work with.

Almost as important as finding the right quarterback for Brady, is making sure to nail the staff this time around.

The Raiders have skewed young in their head coach search, with two interesting names rising to the top.

Denver Broncos offensive passing game coordinator Davis Webb and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak have both been strongly linked.

Of the two, Webb is the most interesting despite never having been an OC, although Brady was gushing about Kubiak during Fox’s coverage of the Seahawks’ NFC Championship victory.

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Kubiak has worked wonders to lead Sam Darnold to Super Bowl LX, which fans can watch here, and would probably be the best man to mentor Smith.

But Bo Nix has thrived under Webb, who helped the sophomore make the most of his abilities and could be a high-upside gamble like a young Sean McVay joining the Los Angeles Rams.

Nix is superb at avoiding sacks, partly because of the positions he is put in by his coaches.

That is a young quarterback’s best friend and Mendoza’s best hope of being Las Vegas’s version of notorious Oakland flop JaMarcus Russell.

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