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There is no doubt that the Raiders, despite having low expectations entering the season, ended up being a major disappointment. It's worth remembering that in Week 1, somewhat surprisingly, they defeated the New England Patriots on the road-a team that is currently competing in the Super Bowl as part of the AFC. However, after that victory, everything went downhill for Las Vegas.
The Raiders finished with the worst record in the NFL at 3-14, and while that left a bitter taste, it also came with a silver lining: the opportunity to select the best available player in the upcoming Draft. Since Las Vegas desperately needs a quarterback, they are in position to select Fernando Mendoza, who against all odds has emerged as the top quarterback prospect in the next Draft.
Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik were the quarterbacks widely expected to be automatic first-round picks, but it now appears that none of them will be. At the moment, the only name consistently mentioned as a potential first-round selection is Fernando Mendoza, the national champion with the Indiana Hoosiers and winner of the Heisman Trophy-an unprecedented achievement.
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Fernando Mendoza receives a message from Ashton Jeanty
One of the biggest victims of the Raiders' season was rookie Ashton Jeanty, who, despite enduring difficult moments, showed flashes of why he was a first-round pick and was even compared to Saquon Barkley. He surpassed 100 rushing yards in only two games during the season, finishing 2025 with 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Now, he could potentially form a dynamic duo with Fernando Mendoza, assuming Mendoza is selected, and the former Boise State standout is already excited about that possibility:
"I think his character can fit into any locker room. Just by what I've seen, he's a great guy. He's humble. Obviously, he's hardworking. He's worked his way up to where he's at now. Nobody knew his name a couple of years ago and now he's one of the top prospects. The hard work, the dedication, the discipline, the focus is definitely there," said the Raiders running back.
Ashton Jeanty's talent is undeniable. In fact, his best performance of the season came in December against what many consider the best defense in the NFL-the Houston Texans. In that game, he totaled 128 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards, along with a pair of touchdowns.
So, if Fernando Mendoza's arrival is confirmed, there is no doubt that he and Ashton Jeanty would form a very exciting duo. However, everything takes time, and the AFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in the league.