Raiders urged to sign 4-time Pro Bowl star weapon for Fernando Mendoza

Raiders urged to sign 4-time Pro Bowl star weapon for Fernando Mendoza originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of another rebuild. Luckily, the team was able to get this year's premier quarterback prospect in Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza LOOKS like a franchise quarterback, but it's hard to reach your full potential with a lackluster supporting cast. The Raiders did make some notable additions in free agency this offseason, but the pass-catcher group still isn't anything to write home about.

If the season started tomorrow, the team's starting wide receivers would be Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, and newcomer Jalen Nailor. That trio won't exactly strike fear in the heart of defenses, but luckily, there's a big move the Raiders could make to transform the room overnight.

Raiders urged to sign Stefon Diggs ahead of 2026

Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick recently identified the Raiders as one of the best landing spots for Stefon Diggs. Diggs was released by the New England Patriots this offseason despite signing a three-year deal last offseason and helping the team reach the Super Bowl.

Diggs had some legal issues this offseason that have seemingly been resolved, which means teams will likely start calling soon. The Raiders make a ton of sense due to the aforementioned weak receiver room and they need to get as much help for their young passer as possible.

Regarding this fit, Kadlick offered the following:

Between his stops with the Bills, Texans and most recently in New England, Diggs has proved to be a net positive for teams looking to surround a young quarterback with talent.

On that note, the Raiders just selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the draft and can use all the help they can to build up their offense. While Las Vegas does employ arguably the league’s best tight end in Brock Bowers, their current wide receiver situation should be considered below-average at best with Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker leading the room.

Adding Diggs as a veteran leader would make a ton of sense as the Silver and Black look to make their mark in Klint Kubiak’s first season at the helm.

As Kadlick mentioned, Diggs has proven to be a valuable asset to quarterbacks. The veteran has helped Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, and Drake Maye all put up monster numbers in the past.

Las Vegas should be interesting for Diggs because, for one, it's Vegas. Additionally, Diggs would be the clear WR1 and could potentially make Vegas a long-term home.

In 2025, Diggs played in all 17 games and caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. It was the seventh time Diggs crossed the 1,000-yard mark in his career and he even received some Comeback Player of the Year votes for the campaign.

This seems like the perfect match. If the Raiders want Mendoza to reach his potential, he needs a reliable veteran like Diggs.