Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco fit veteran QB mold for Raiders

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 04: Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) drops back to pass during the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons on January 4th, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here we are in mid-March and the Las Vegas Raiders — rightfully so — aren’t disclosing their 2026 NFL Draft plans. Not without the yearly event taking place at the tail end of April.

The Silver & Black own the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s event and, as you can imagine, during his stay at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, general manager John Spytek was asked frequently what he intends to do with the top pick. The questions surround around Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, pegged by many as the presumptive No.

1 overall selection . “Not right now, it’s not,” Spytek answered when the CBS Sports’ panel asked him if it was that simple to peg in Mendoza as the first pick . “Maybe sometime in early April it will be.

I truly mean we’re going to go about this process the right way and don’t want to rush this. ” Spytek and his crew are doing due diligence this early into the draft process but getting the quarterback spot solidified for his rookie head coach Klint Kubiak is vital. Gone is veteran Geno Smith (traded to the New York Jets) and the coaching staff that adored the signal caller.