LAS VEGAS — Let’s stop pretending. The card is already filled out. The Las Vegas Raiders are taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. It’s a marriage made in football heaven: a Heisman Trophy winner fresh off a National Championship joining forces with new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Mendoza isn’t just the best player in this class; he’s the cultural reset the Raiders have been chasing for decades. But now that the drama at No. 1 is dead, the real chaos begins.
Who is the second quarterback off the board?
The QB2 Battle: Ty Simpson vs. The Field
The gap between Mendoza and the rest of the class is significant, but the scramble for the next signal-caller is where careers (and GMs) will be made. The consensus board has Alabama’s Ty Simpson, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss, and Miami’s Carson Beck vying for position.
Right now, the clubhouse leader is Ty Simpson. When healthy, he looks like a franchise cornerstone. Playing an SEC schedule, Simpson carved up defenses with a 64.6% completion rate for 3,561 yards and 28 touchdowns. But the red flags are waving frantically.
Simpson’s medical chart reads like a battlefield report: fractured rib, lower back issues, and elbow bursitis—all in one season. His tape reflects that toll. Against Georgia and Indiana down the stretch, he looked hesitant, battered, and frankly, mortal.
Potential Landing Spots for Simpson
despite the durability concerns, NFL teams are desperate. If Simpson clears medicals, he won’t escape the first round. Here is where the smoke is settling:
- No. 16 (New York Jets): A potential reset if they decide to pivot.
- No. 21 (Pittsburgh Steelers): The Steelers love pedigree, and Simpson fits the AFC North mold physically.
- No. 24 (Cleveland Browns): Chaos loves company, and Cleveland is always in the QB market.
- No. 29 (Los Angeles Rams): The perfect “sit and learn” scenario behind a veteran.
My verdict? Simpson is the QB2, but with fewer than 20 college starts and a body that’s already taking punishment, it’s a terrifying gamble for a GM on the hot seat.
The Combine Freak: Caleb Banks is About to Explode
Circle this name in red ink: Caleb Banks. The Florida defensive tackle is currently flying under the national radar, but that ends the second he steps onto the field in Indianapolis.
We are talking about a human eclipse—6-foot-6, 330 pounds with vines for arms. His 2025 tape is sparse (only 96 snaps due to injury), but context matters. He battled back to play Weeks 13 and 14, and by all accounts, he was the most physically imposing specimen at the Senior Bowl last week.
When he runs the 40 and hits the drills, “draft Twitter” is going to melt down. He moves like a man fifty pounds lighter. He is a lock for the first round, and don’t be shocked if he pushes into the top 20 after testing.
“You watch the film on Simpson, and you see the throws. You see the NFL arm. But then you see him grimace getting up. That’s the scare. Can he survive 17 games with 300-pounders falling on him? That’s the million-dollar question.”
— AFC Scout, Senior Bowl Week
Jeremiyah Love: The Next Top-10 Running Back?
Running backs in the top 10 used to be a taboo subject. Then came Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and last year, the Raiders spending the No. 6 pick on Ashton Jeanty. The league is swinging back, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the beneficiary.
Love isn’t just a runner; he’s an offensive weapon. I don’t see him slipping past the top 10, specifically past these two teams:
1. New Orleans Saints (No. 8)
The Tyler Shough era is officially underway in New Orleans. Shough showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie campaign, but he needs help. With Alvin Kamara aging out, the Saints need a new engine. Pairing Love with Shough gives New Orleans a young, dynamic backfield reminiscent of the Ingram-Kamara days, but with more explosive upside.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9)
The Chiefs’ run game last season was, to put it mildly, abysmal. Mahomes needs balance. Dropping Love into an Andy Reid offense is almost unfair to the rest of the league. He would be an immediate upgrade and a Rookie of the Year frontrunner from Day 1.
Wide Receivers: Good, Not God-Tier
Is this a strong wide receiver class? Yes. Is it legendary? No.
We lack a Marvin Harrison Jr. or a Ja’Marr Chase—that singular, can’t-miss alien. Instead, we have a deep group of high-floor starters. Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Chris Bell will all play on Sundays.
However, every single one comes with a “but”:
- Tyson: Can he stay healthy?
- Tate: Is he a true WR1 or an elite WR2?
- Lemon: Does his size limit him to the slot?
- Bell: Can the medicals hold up?
Personally, I’m planting my flag on Makai Lemon and Chris Bell. They have the tape that translates to the modern NFL game. I’d be comfortable taking either in the back half of Round 1, knowing they can contribute immediately.
