Raiders in play to make splash in free agency to help Fernando Mendoza?

Barring a shocking turn of events, the Las Vegas Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick.

However, adding a quarterback to the mix is only the first step to fixing their dreadful offense.

Klint Kubiak's team will be wise to address their huge offensive line concerns to keep their rookie signal-caller out of harm's way.

According to NFL insider Matthew Berry, that's exactly what they intend to do. In his latest intel report, he had the Raiders going all-in on star center Tyler Linderbaum.

The Raiders will break the bank for Tyler Linderbaum

"Expect the Las Vegas Raiders to make a very strong run at the Ravens star center Tyler Linderbaum, who is going to set records with his eventual payday," Berry wrote. "He’ll have many suitors, but I’m told the Raiders, who have a ton of cap space, very much like the idea of a stud like Linderbaum lining up in front of the No. 1 overall pick if Las Vegas does, in fact, draft Fernando Mendoza."

The Baltimore Ravens star is the most sought-after and prominent offensive lineman in free agency this offseason.

Spotrac projects his market value at $17.7 million per year, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him eclipse $20 million in his new deal. 

Even so, money shouldn't be an issue for Tom Brady and company. According to Over The Cap, the Raiders have $88.1 million in available cap space.

They already have two budding stars in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, so it's all about protecting their franchise quarterback and giving him a clean pocket now.