The Raiders know who they have under center for now, but the more interesting question is who they’ll be feeding passes to when Fernando Mendoza takes the job full-time.
Mendoza’s first NFL snaps came in last week’s 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots, where he completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards in garbage time. Kirk Cousins is still Las Vegas’ starter, but Mendoza is the future, and that future looks a lot better if the Raiders can give him a real No. 1 wideout.
Right now, that part of the roster looks thin. Three of the team’s top four pass-catchers are tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, plus running back Ashton Jeanty.
Tre Tucker has been the top receiver through five games, putting together 19 catches for 274 yards and one touchdown, but he’s not playing like a true No. 1 NFL wideout.
That’s why Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report sees a potential trade path worth exploring. He suggested the Raiders check on Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has reportedly slipped out of favor in Jacksonville.
“The return that Arizona got for (Marvin) Harrison Jr. could change Jacksonville's stance (on trading Thomas Jr.),” Knox wrote. “Thomas was a revelation for the Jaguars as a rookie but has steadily fallen out of the game plan since. … With rookie receiver Josh Cameron (117 yards, 2 TDs) beginning to gain traction, cashing in Thomas now could make a ton of sense.
“The Jags would undoubtedly ask for a similar return to what the Cardinals got for Harrison, and they might just get it. Thomas is still only 24 years old, and he racked up 1,282 yards with 10 touchdowns during his inaugural campaign.”
Knox said Arizona could land 2027 second- and sixth-round picks, which is essentially what the Cardinals got from the Houston Texans for Harrison Jr.
If Jacksonville really wants that kind of package, Las Vegas should at least take the call seriously. Thomas, who is 24 and had 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns two seasons ago as a rookie, already looks like more than the Raiders could hope to find with that 2027 second-round pick.
That list would include Rutgers’ K.J. Duff, Florida State’s Duce Robinson, Texas’ Ryan Wingo, Indiana’s Nick Marsh and South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor.
In Other News...
Raiders Offense Has A Kirk Cousins Problem Fans Can See
The Patriots came after Kirk Cousins with an aggressive defensive approach in the Raiders latest game, and the result was an offense that never quite found its footing. New England made life uncomfortable for the veteran quarterback and forced Las Vegas into a game plan that leaned away from pushing the ball downfield, leaving the Raiders searching for answers as the pressure mounted.
Cousins reluctance to challenge the defense deep was one of the clearest signs of how well the Patriots dictated the terms. It has also only sharpened the conversation around whether backup Mendoza might offer a different look if the Raiders decide they need more variety under center, even though no changes have been made yet. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Desperately Need Receiver Help And One Fit Stands Out
The Raiders passing game has become an awkward study in misplaced production, with only three players clearing 20 catches and two of them coming from the tight end room while a running back is also part of that group. That leaves Las Vegas searching for more juice on the perimeter, and the urgency only grew after the club reportedly pursued a deal for Marvin Harrison Jr. before the Houston Texans beat them to it.
One name now circulating as a possible answer is Minnesota Vikings receiver Jauan Jennings, whose situation has grown murky amid limited production and reported tension with his current team. What makes him especially interesting for the Raiders is his familiarity with passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, a connection that could matter if Las Vegas decides it needs a receiver who can get up to speed quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Carson Beck Could Change The Cardinals Conversation Faster Than Expected
After the Raiders second straight loss, the quarterback discussion has already started to shift in Las Vegas, and Fernando Mendozas NFL debut only added another layer to it. His first start still is not settled, which leaves the team in the familiar spot of weighing whether a rookie can steady things quickly enough while the season keeps moving around him.
Across the league, the rookie quarterback ripple is showing up in Arizona too, where Carson Beck could be pressed into action sooner rather than later as the Cardinals work through their own struggles. It is another reminder that 2026 is becoming a year where young passers are changing the conversation fast, even as Trevor Lawrences strong play and rising card market show how quickly the quarterback market can move when the on-field results start to click. [Read more 🡒]