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Raiders' Klint Kubiak Softens Stance on Top Draft Prospect
Kubiak says he looks forward to getting to know Fernando Mendoza better before the NFL Draft.
Feb. 18, 2026 at 12:47pm
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The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Klint Kubiak, their new offensive coordinator, has changed his tone on the presumptive top pick, Fernando Mendoza. After initially being noncommittal about Mendoza, Kubiak said in a recent interview that he looks forward to getting to know the talented prospect better before the draft.
Why it matters
Mendoza is widely expected to be the first player selected in the draft, so Kubiak's comments suggest the Raiders are seriously considering taking him with the top pick. This could have significant implications for the team's future, as Mendoza's performance and fit with the Raiders' offense will be crucial to the team's success.
The details
Kubiak, a rising star as an offensive coordinator, is tasked with reviving a Raiders offense that averaged the fewest points per game in the NFL last season (14.2). With the No. 1 pick, the Raiders have the opportunity to select Mendoza, who is the overwhelming favorite to be the first player off the board. Kubiak's initial comments about Mendoza were noncommittal, but in a recent interview, he expressed a more positive sentiment, saying he looks forward to getting to know the player better before the draft.
- The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
- Klint Kubiak made his initial noncommittal comments about Mendoza shortly after being hired as the Raiders' offensive coordinator.
- Kubiak's more positive comments about Mendoza were made in a recent interview for the Raiders' YouTube channel.
The players
Klint Kubiak
The new offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, tasked with reviving the team's struggling offense.
Fernando Mendoza
The presumptive top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, who is widely expected to be selected by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick.
What they’re saying
“My exposure is very limited. I saw him play the national championship game, I saw the interviews he's given after those games and how team-oriented he is. I look forward to getting to know the player better, but obviously a really talented guy with a bright future. We'll see. We'll see where it ends up. But we've got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time comes.”
— Klint Kubiak, Offensive Coordinator, Las Vegas Raiders (Raiders' YouTube channel)
What’s next
The Raiders will have the opportunity to further evaluate Mendoza and other top prospects in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April.
The takeaway
Kubiak's softened stance on Mendoza suggests the Raiders are seriously considering taking the talented prospect with the No. 1 overall pick. However, the team still has work to do to fully evaluate Mendoza and determine if he is the right fit for their offense and long-term plans.
