Tom Brady tipped to steal $20m Lamar Jackson weapon from Ravens in huge Fernando Mendoza boost

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for Fernando Mendoza’s expected arrival.

The Raiders own the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and it is widely expected that they will select the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback.

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But it’s not a one-man team, and the Raiders, who finished with a 3-14 record last season, are expected to go all out to protect the 22-year-old hurler.

According to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry, Las Vegas is expected to make “a very strong run” at Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.

Linderbaum had his fifth-year option denied by the Baltimore Ravens, and will test free agency when the signing window opens.

In 2025, he remained one of the games best run-blocking centers, his 83.1 PFF run-blocking grade ranked fourth at the position.

He is expected to receive offers above $20 million per season, which would easily make him the top-paid center in the entire league, and he has more than deserved a payday.

The first-round pick out of Iowa has been to the Pro-Bowl three times, and finished seventh in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2022.

Linderbaum is exactly what the Raiders need heading into 2026, likely with the new quarterback at the helm.

The Geno Smith experiment failed miserably in 2025, as the 35-year-old threw 17 interceptions, but was also sacked 55 times. 

The veteran quarterback is expected to take up a mentorship role for Mendoza, who has already made his feelings clear on the Raiders.

The addition of one of the best run-blocking centres in football would make the transition for Mendoza all the more easier.

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Mendoza speaks to Brady and draws huge reaction at NFL Combine

Brady is expected to have a big say in the Raiders’ draft decisions, and he has been outspoken about his expectations from a franchise quarterback.

Mendoza fits the bill in that respect, and also described his combine meeting with Las Vegas brass as ‘fantastic’.

The 22-year-old also got the chance to speak to the Raiders minority owner, and said the unexpected call made the meeting “very special”.

While almost every mock draft has Mendoza landing on Tom Brady’s team, nothing is ever a certainty when it comes to the draft.

Evidenced last year, when Shedeur Sanders suffered a stunning slide to the fourth round, despite being labeled as a first-round QB.

There are concerns over the environment that waits for him in Las Vegas, and also his NFL comparison.

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Mendoza was also heavily criticized for choosing not to participate in the NFL Combine last weekend.

Mendoza still joined the other quarterbacks on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during his position group’s on-field testing period on Feb. 28.

When the production team at the field showed him on the in-stadium screen, the crowd cheered loudly.

He will need protection once he officially goes pro, though, and the addition of Linderbaum could be one of many moves the Raiders make this offseason to help him out.

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