YAHOO SPORTS Whoever becomes the Las Vegas Raiders’ new head coach will also have the NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick in hand.

The last time the Raiders had the No. 1 pick, they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007. If they’re indeed in the market for a quarterback this time around, they’re hoping for a better result.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback at Indiana, is the frontrunner to be the first pick in April’s draft. Yahoo Sports draft analyst Nate Tice wrote on Mendoza’s upside: Mendoza is an accurate thrower to all three levels who constantly goes to the right place with the ball. The offense uses plenty of RPOs, but Mendoza is an efficient operator in true dropback situations like on third down and in the red zone. He’s also a solid athlete and creator.

Yahoo Sports draft analyst Charles McDonald in the latest mock said this of Mendoza’s fit with the Raiders: The Raiders need a quarterback. Mendoza is the best one in the draft. Easy. He fits the profile of a top-10 pick with his ability to run the offense at a high level, strong arm talent and enough mobility to keep plays alive under duress. No one is confusing him for a Drake Maye- or Josh Allen-level athlete, but he’s not the stiff many have made him out to be. This is a fine and logical pick for the Raiders.

Here’s a look at the draft order as the NFL nears the end of its 2025 season (with help from Tankathon. com).

(The Los Angeles Rams own the first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons, who were eliminated in Week 14. The New York Jets own the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick via the trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner.)

1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14) Strength of schedule: .538 Do they have a QB for the future? No, the Geno Smith-Pete Carroll reunion has been a colossal bust in a town known for them.

2. New York Jets (3-14) Strength of schedule: .552 Do they have a QB for the future? No.

3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14) Strength of schedule: .571 Do they have a QB for the future? No, as the sun appears to be setting on the Kyler Murray Experience. 4. Tennessee Titans

(3-14)

Strength of schedule: .574 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, although a shoulder injury in the season finale wasn’t a good way to end Cam Ward’s rookie season.

5. New York Giants (4-13) Strength of schedule: .524 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, especially if Jaxson Dart learns how to slide and/or get out of bounds.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-12) Strength of schedule: .486 Do they have a QB for the future? That’s a loaded question.

7. Washington Commanders (5-12) Strength of schedule: .507 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, despite a rough sophomore season from Jayden Daniels.

8. New Orleans Saints (6-11) Strength of schedule: .495 Do they have a QB for the future? Tyler Shough is making a hard charge toward Offensive Rookie of the Year. It appears the Saints landed a Round 2 steal of the NFL Draft.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11) Strength of schedule: .514 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, although when Patrick Mahomes will be ready for the 2026 season remains to be seen.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11) Strength of schedule: .521 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, and it’s a bummer we didn’t get Joe Burrow for the full season.

11. Miami Dolphins (7-10) Strength of schedule: .488 Do they have a QB for the future? Apparently not, since the Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa in favor of Quinn Ewers for the last stretch of the season.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) Strength of schedule: .438 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes. Even Dak Prescott’s legion of doubters had to tip their hats to him this season. He wasn’t the problem for this failed campaign.

13. Los Angeles Rams (12-5; pick was traded by Atlanta Falcons) Strength of schedule for Falcons: .495 Do the Rams have a QB for the future? Beyond Matthew Stafford, no, but let’s not put limits on a legend.

14. Baltimore Ravens

(8-9)

Strength of schedule: .507 Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, although it feels like Lamar Jackson’s Super Bowl window is closing. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

Strength of schedule: .529 Do they have a QB for the future? Baker Mayfield is likely back next season, but the Bucs might want to keep their eyes on how this season finishes and the market next spring.

16. New York Jets (3-13; pick was traded by Indianapolis Colts) Strength of schedule for Colts: .540 17. Detroit Lions (9-8) Strength of schedule: .490 Do they have a QB for the future? For now. The injuries have piled up for the Lions for the second straight year, especially along the offensive line. But as good as Jared Goff is in this system, his imperfections will draw only a hotter spotlight the longer Detroit goes without breaking through to a Super Bowl.

18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8) Strength of schedule: .514 Do they have a QB for the future? It seems to vary week-to-week with J.J. McCarthy, who can’t seem to stay healthy.

Playoff teams

19. Carolina Panthers (8-9) 20. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1; pick was traded by Green Bay Packers) 21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) 23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) 24. Cleveland Browns (5-12; pick was traded by Jacksonville Jaguars) 25. Chicago Bears (11-6) 26. Buffalo Bills (12-5) 27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5) 28. Houston Texans (12-5) 29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5) 30. Denver Broncos (14-3) 31. New England Patriots (14-3) 32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)