All draft analysts unanimously agree that famed Indiana Hoosiers quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, will be going to the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 pick this April. But the franchise might be quietly making plans to land another signal-caller. 

“𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The Raiders are now the FAVORITES to sign former Falcons veteran QB Kirk Cousins on Polymarket. Cousins would be the perfect mentor for Mendoza. Las Vegas football is finally back,” NFL insider Dov Kleiman reported on X, sharing the trends on Polymarket.

According to them, there was a 20 percent hike in the likelihood that the 37-year-old QB would suit up for the Raiders in the 2026-27 season.

The Raiders traded Geno Smith to the New York Jets after his poor performance. With him in play, the Raiders went 3-14 and lost eight consecutive games. He scored 19 touchdowns for 3,025 yards and threw 17 interceptions.

While the season met yet another humiliating end, it gave them the No. 1 pick. That spot seems to be locked down by Mendoza, the best prospect in the draft. But Mendoza, despite winning the NCAA National Championship, needs the correct mentorship.

And who could mentor him better than Cousins?

Kirk Cousins was drafted in 2012 by the Washington Cardinals and has experience spanning over a decade. In his 13 seasons in the NFL, Cousins has a completion rate of 66.7 percent in the 174 games he’s played. He has scored 298 touchdowns for 44,700 yards against 131 interceptions.

His experience with the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons matters more than one can assume. 

Despite having a high-end backup in the form of Adian O’Connell, the Raides are looking for someone far more seasoned. According to a report by Heavy, the franchise wanted to rope in Joe Flacco. But that plan tanked as he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Raiders are looking to make things work and rise above their abysmal track record, as it could be their last chance.

However, this would be a problem for the Cleveland Browns, who were also expected to land him

Why is Kirk Cousins a projected choice for the Browns?

Head coach Kevin Stefanski needs a starting quarterback for the 2026 season, after struggling to single one out in the 2025 season despite having a loaded quarterback room. Kirk Cousins could have been a reliable, short-term option for the team, bringing veteran experience to stabilize things.

The four-time Pro Bowler will have to compete against the likes of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, but he could also serve as a mentor to them for the 2026 season. His main competition would be with veteran DeShaun Watson, but Cousins has been far more successful than the former in the league.

Cleveland, however, would have to be wary of the four-year $180 million deal that Kirk Cousins signed when he began his Atlanta Falcons journey. Will they be able to give the Raiders a competition if they are looking at Cousins as an option?

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Afreen Kabir