Jets seek blockbuster path to Raiders’ first overall pick

Quarterbacks come at a premium, which is why many teams would love to be in the Las Vegas Raiders’ position at No. 1. Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner, is widely projected to go first overall. Some question whether he is worth that price tag, but draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has pushed back on that idea.

Jeremiah addressed the trade chatter during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, when he was asked about the New York Jets’ interest in moving up for the top pick.

“I 100 percent think [Jets] would,” Jeremiah said. “That is the buzz around here.”

The New York Jets can offer a king’s ransom…

After moving stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the New York Jets would have two extra first-round picks to use as trade ammo. Many teams could not match that kind of package. Even so, the Raiders would likely demand the No. 2 overall pick to even consider moving off No. 1. That is the trade-off: sliding down reduces their control of the top quarterback.

New York’s urgency is also clear. One fewer win would have put the Jets closer to the top without a deal. And the front office is not viewed as fully committed to Justin Fields, which only increases the pressure to go get a quarterback.

The Dallas Cowboys can offer extra draft capital, too, but they are not in the same quarterback bind. That makes them a less likely partner for a blockbuster move to No. 1.

Should the Raiders consider trading the first overall pick?

The last time the Silver and Black held the No. 1 overall pick, Raider Nation thought it had found a franchise saver. It did not. The Raiders took JaMarcus Russell out of Louisiana State University, and the pick became a warning sign, not a turning point.

This time, the argument is that Fernando Mendoza represents a different type of investment. Mendoza wins more with processing, timing, and decision-making than with raw tools. Russell was viewed as a traits-first quarterback. The comparison is mostly about what the Raiders can learn from the past: the No. 1 pick is not a solution by itself. It is only a starting point, and it has to be supported by coaching, protection, and a plan.

That is why the Raiders should not treat a trade package as the main goal. It doesn’t matter, even if the draft capital is tempting. Picks are valuable, but quarterbacks are the hardest asset to find. Las Vegas needs a long-term answer under center, not just more numbers on a chart.