Analyzing HC Klint Kubiak's Next Step for the Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have been precise in all of their moves this offseason. The signings they made in free agency have made life much easier for them heading into the draft. They still have plenty of work to do on their roster, but having 10 draft picks in the NFL Draft will help.

Of those 10 picks, one is all but decided upon, as the Raiders will kick off the draft with the No. 1 overall pick. With a roster that has no shortage of needs, the draft cannot come fast enough for Klint Kubiak and the Raiders. Las Vegas has a chance to improve yet again this offseason.

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What the Raiders Are Looking for

It is fair to presume Mendzoa and the Raiders will happen, and that it is all but a foregone conclusion. Still, Las Vegas' front office must do its due diligence on every player it plans on taking, even Mendoza. As talented as he is, no pick is guaranteed to be successful, even the first overall pick.

Las Vegas has been detailed in every other aspect of their offseason plans. They plan to remain that way throughout the entire process with Mendoza, as they are hinging their future on him being the right quarterback for them. Kubiak recently specified how the Raiders have done their research.

"Well, you just want to see how good of a player they are first. That's the starting point, is just spending time watching their games, watching how they handle two-minute drives, how they handle being down 14, how they handle being up 14, how they how fast they get up when they get drilled in the face, with the interviews you want to look to see how well they can communicate and relate to other people that aren't like them,” Kubiak said.

“You see them go to the pro day, how do they deal with the players around him like, what's the nonverbal communication look like? How confident do they carry themselves? If they miss a throw are their eyes going in the dirt or is it, Okay, on to the next play? Just trying to get a feel for the for the whole person and getting to know their strengths and weaknesses. And that goes with quarterbacks or anybody that we're looking at."

The draft is only a few weeks away, meaning Kubiak and the Raiders' front office have already done more extensive research on Mendoza and others than most might think is possible. Still, the Raiders must not let up. Mendoza, and the additional nine players Las Vegas will draft in April are crucial.

Las Vegas has struggled mightily over the past few seasons, partly due to an inability to find enough competent players in free agency and the draft. After a strong start to free agency this offseason, Las Vegas simply needs to add a productive draft class to the mix, and they are on schedule.