PITTSBURGH — The Raiders will set a new course Thursday when they officially make Fernando Mendoza the first pick in the NFL draft.
There are no guarantees in life — and certainly not when it comes to first-round quarterbacks. But the Indiana Heisman Trophy winner and national champion is as clean a prospect as you’ll find. And to their credit, the Raiders have done an admirable job prepping for his arrival, determined to be the reason he succeeds rather than fails.
From new coach Klint Kubiak, a noted quarterback whisperer coming off a Super Bowl championship as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, to a revamped offensive line bolstered by the signing of All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, a defensive reset, and the prior drafting of star tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, the infrastructure the Raiders have built for Mendoza should expedite his transition from college to the NFL.
That is on top of the nine other picks they have over the course of the draft, most of which are at or near the top of every round. The headway they can make is real.
For the first time in forever, things are looking up for the Raiders.
But then, what is the NFL draft if not the selling of hope?
It’s no different for the Rams, Chargers and 49ers. Not so much in anticipation of a major breakthrough like the Raiders, necessarily, but if just enough magic, good fortune and solid decision-making is in the air over the next three days, each team can take a significant step forward in realizing their ultimate dreams.
Here is a look at what each team needs to do to make that push forward:
Rams: Go get best wide receiver in draft
Thanks to the draft-day trade the Rams made with the Falcons last year, they hold the 13th pick overall in the first round Thursday. The possibilities are endless, with impact players at a handful of positions available to them.
Whether it’s addressing a long-term need, like a future starter at tackle, or upgrading at wide receiver, in the secondary or along the defensive line, the Rams are in a great position to add premier talent to an already top-notch roster.
The strength of their roster, and their very real Super Bowl aspirations, could be the catalyst for boldness and creativity in the first round. And not the kind that leads to a trade down to collect even more picks, although with general manager Les Snead, that is always a possibility.
Instead, Snead should think long and hard about using his first-round pick and other draft assets to move into the top 10 to select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. The Buckeyes star isn’t the fastest wide receiver, but then, neither were Puka Nacua, Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp, three wide receivers who have flourished in Sean McVay’s offense.
Much like those three, and for that matter, Rams wide receiver Davante Adams, who is on track to reach the Hall of Fame, Tate is a route-running technician, mature beyond his years, and possesses a keen understanding of the position.
The analytics aren’t always in favor of trading up in the first round, especially to fill a non-quarterback need. But the Rams have a lot of reasons to think big Thursday night and should act on those motivations.
Backup plan: USC wide receiver Makai Lemon
Chargers: Shore up interior of offensive line
The Chargers’ inability to protect quarterback Justin Herbert has been a multiyear problem, as evidenced by the 95 times he’s been sacked over the last two years.
The physical beating he’s taken hasn’t just stymied the Chargers’ offense at times, and in particular in the postseason, where they have suffered two straight one-and-dones, but it’s also led to a diminished Herbert by the end of seasons.
Mentally, he’s as strong as it gets. He’ll never waver in the face of the brutal physicality, no matter how bad it gets. But all those hits add up, and as we’ve seen during the playoffs the last two years, everyone has a breaking point, including the physically gifted Herbert.
The good news is, the Chargers will get back their stalwart tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, after Slater missed all of 2025 with a knee injury and an ankle injury cost Alt all but six games.
But they need help in the interior of their offensive line, where a full rebuild was necessary after last season’s debacle.
Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane should be their guy, even if it means moving up from No. 22 into the top 15 to get him. Yes, the Chargers have only five picks this year, and trading up will cut into that allotment. But Ioane is worth it as a Day 1 starter and perfect fit in and around Slater and Alt.
Backup plan: Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy
49ers: Trade down
In a draft that holds maybe 20 true first-round graded prospects, the 49ers should be open-minded about trading out of the 27th pick to secure a few more bites of the apple.
The Cardinals’ need for a quarterback could create an ideal scenario for the 49ers. Arizona has its eye on Alabama’s Ty Simpson, but certainly not with the third pick overall, the selection the Cardinals currently hold.
Arizona might use that pick to get Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Or perhaps trade down to collect even more picks. Whatever the Cardinals do at No. 3, eventually they want to circle back to Simpson. Perhaps in the second round at No. 34.
Only one problem: The Jets could also have their eye on Simpson with their second-round pick at No. 33.
The concern of losing Simpson to the Jets, and motivated by the fifth-year option they would hold on Simpson if they select him in the first round, could prompt them trade up to go get Simpson on Thursday night.
The 49ers would be the perfect trade candidate and should use the pick-swap model the Giants drew up last year to move back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart as the blueprint.
If so, the 49ers would relinquish No. 27 to the Cardinals for their second-round pick at No. 34, their third-round selection at No. 65 and a 2027 third-round pick. That would set them up to do some damage with three Day 2 selections, including two in the second round, and seven picks overall within the top 139 selections.
Backup plan: Utah tackle Caleb Lomu
