Las Vegas selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick and the team expects him to see game action at some point in 2026, the report says. The front office believes Mendoza and several members of a 10-player draft class have high ceilings and could compete for significant roles early in their careers.
The report quotes general manager John Spytek and other front-office members smiling about the class and stressing versatility as a key trait. Spytek noted that Treydan Stukes has experience at outside corner, nickel and safety, and that offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III moved around in a college game between center and left tackle. The report says the group’s selflessness and willingness to do whatever is asked of them impressed evaluators.
Although veteran Kirk Cousins is expected to start to open the season because of his experience and familiarity with coach Klint Kubiak’s system, the report says Mendoza is likely to play during the season. The story notes recent history of No. 1 overall quarterbacks being named Week 1 starters and combines that run into a broader point about rookie playing time. The report adds that Mendoza must adjust from an RPO system at Indiana to a pro-style offense that requires more work under center, but that staff praise for his work ethic and processing speed could help him adapt.
Safety Treydan Stukes is presented as having perhaps the clearest path to an immediate role. The report says Las Vegas entered the draft thin at safety and that Stukes can play deep middle safety — a spot Isaiah Pola-Mao filled last season while allowing a 70% completion rate on 559 coverage snaps. The report says Stukes had four interceptions and allowed a 26.1% completion rate on 23 targets as Arizona’s primary defender last season, and that his nickel experience could let defensive coordinator Rob Leonard use him in multiple spots, potentially splitting reps with veteran Taron Johnson.
The report highlights guard Trey Zuhn III’s versatility, including his own comment that “It’s super important,” to be able to play multiple line positions. Overall, the report concludes the rookie class could help jump-start the Raiders’ rebuild, and it points to training camp and the coming weeks as the next opportunities to see how roles settle.
