The Las Vegas Raiders used the No. 1 pick to add quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but they didn’t stop there. The team also signed two undrafted free agent rookie quarterbacks.
That’s not even mentioning that they signed Kirk Cousins in free agency. Along with Aidan O’Connell, the Raiders have five quarterbacks on the roster. O’Connell can’t be feeling great about his future in Las Vegas after draft weekend.
He was the only quarterback on the roster earlier in the offseason, but he’s at best third on the totem pole now. If the Raiders thought he had upside as a long-term backup for them, they likely wouldn’t have added two undrafted rookies.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo is expecting the Raiders to trade or release him at some point this offseason.
“It was a foregone conclusion that Mendoza was going No. 1 overall,” Melo wrote. “The only remaining question is whether he or Kirk Cousins starts Week 1. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has a tight-knit relationship with Cousins, and there’s a sentiment that Mendoza could be protected by sitting and developing. This Raiders regime has reshaped the quarterback room in its vision. Aidan O’Connell is a holdover and isn’t expected to remain with the organization past training camp.”
Is There Interest in O’Connell?
If O’Connell is available in a trade, it’s unlikely that there will be a ton of interest around the NFL. He doesn’t have much athletic upside and is likely already close to his ceiling.
That said, he has started in 17 games and has thrown 20 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in his career. Teams want backups who have good experience playing, so that makes him somewhat valuable. It’s hard to see the Raiders getting anything more than a sixth-round pick for O’Connell, but that’s better than cutting him for nothing.
Mendoza Knows He Has To Earn Leadership Role
The Raiders should be Mendoza’s team going forward. He’s the top pick, but they aren’t going to anoint him as the starter. Mendoza is a hard worker and is eager to learn.
“I think it’s the ability to be coached, always come with a low ego and be open with the coaching,” Mendoza said during his introductory press conference. “Coming to Indiana, I really had so much more to learn. I always want to have exponential growth every single year. That is made by the process, the work ethic going into everything I do every single day.”
One of Mendoza’s best traits is his leadership ability. His teammates really resonated with his personality at Indiana. However, the NFL is a different beast. Players are a lot richer and older. Mendoza is aware that it’s going to take some work to earn a leadership role.
“I believe that leadership is earned, not given,” Mendoza said. “And so I look forward to learning from all the fantastic people in this organization, and hopefully I’ll become a good leader.”
It shouldn’t take much for teammates to start following Mendoza. He comes off as very genuine, but he’ll also have to show that he can be an impact player on the field.
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