The Las Vegas Raiders desperately need to bolster their cornerback corps, and the first round of the draft presents a prime opportunity to do just that.
We all know what the first-round pick will be for the Silver and Black. That is, of course, unless general manager John Spytek unexpectedly changes his mind. It’s entirely possible he could swing the top pick for a treasure chest full of draft capital. The New York Jets, for example, could offer him a ridiculous package he’d have to consider. On the other hand, if this happens, the obvious pick for the No. 1 selection will be a quarterback, so how can they draft a corner?
The genius of Spytek could be in full display if the Raiders trade back into the first round. The Houston Texans, who have the 28th overall selection, could provide an opportunity to get a major upgrade for the Las Vegas defense.
Let’s take a look.
- Raiders receive: 28th overall pick
- Texans receive: 36th overall pick, ’27 4th round pick
Raiders 2-Round Mock Draft: What to do about the defense?
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza is the kind of signal-caller people fall for fast; Raider Nation is no exception. He can also get a team in trouble if it drafts him without a real plan.
The positives are clear. He has NFL size. He has the ability to see beyond the line and remains calm in the presence of other players. His arm is strong, and he can throw accurately even when his feet are not set. He can also add value with rollouts and play-action. In today’s NFL, that matters.
The concerns are just as clear. Under pressure, Mendoza can rush himself. Instead of taking decisive action, he retreats from clear opportunities. He drifts backward when contact is coming. When defenses blitz, he can miss the quick answer. Those are not small issues for a young quarterback. They decide drives.
That is the debate. Are the Raiders drafting Mendoza, or are they drafting the work that comes with him? If the plan is to start him early behind a shaky line and change coaches around him, it is a disastrous bet. If the plan is Klint Kubiak, clear reads, and real protection, the talent can win out.
Round 1, No. 28: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Brandon Cisse is a corner teams chase when they are tired of playing soft. He has long arms, loose hips, real speed, and a comfort level in man coverage that shows up snap after snap. On top of that, Cisse can press, disrupt the release, and recover when a receiver tries to stack him. He closes fast and contests throws with length that shrinks the window for quarterbacks. Additionally, he also brings special teams value, which matters on a roster that needs immediate contributors.
Now, the risk is that Cisse is not a finished player. His hands are not always strong at the contact point, and his eyes can betray him. He overreacts, opens his hips early, and loses leverage. He bites on misdirection and play action, then tries to recover by grabbing. In the NFL, that turns into flags. He also lacks the play strength to beat stalk blocks, and his tackle tape includes misses that flip field position. A history of minor injuries adds another variable.
So what are the Raiders drafting? If they want plug-and-play reliability, pass. If they want a high-upside man corner and trust their coaching to fix discipline and technique, Cisse is the swing worth taking. Keep in mind, we are yet to find out who’ll be leading the defense next season—maybe once it’s revealed who the defensive coordinator will be, the potential philosophy behind the cornerback room will be clearer.
*Top Photo: Getty Images