If the Las Vegas Raiders do select Fernando Mendoza, it’s obvious that the offensive line needs to be improved. Nonetheless, the weapons for Mendoza also needs an overhaul, considering the only reliable pass-catcher is Brock Bowers.
The Raiders lack a true No. 1 wideout for Mendoza to lean on. In free agency, there doesn’t appear to be a top guy hitting the market. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to franchise tag George Pickens , and after that, there wouldn’t be a true top wideout in his prime available.
As for the draft, the Raiders could use a Day 2 pick to find a wideout. Still, that could take time due to development, so the trade route might be the best option.
During a Feb. 11 appearance on CBS Sports HQ , CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan believes that the Raiders trading for Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins makes sense for Las Vegas.
“If you’re the Raiders, you’re trying to give Fernando Mendoza, who we assume is going to be the No. 1 overall pick, as many weapons as possible,” Sullivan said. “It’s pretty nice with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers in that offense, but they are a little thin at wide receiver. So, bringing in someone like Tee Higgins, who has been a 1B over the course of his career, I don’t even consider him a secondary option in that offense.
“He is a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. He just happens to be in the shadow of arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Ja’Marr Chase. You put him in that offense with Klint Kubiak. We’ve seen what he was able to do with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in terms of a league-leading target share. This is someone who could be heavily involved in that offense.”
Could Mike Evans Be An Option for the Raiders
While it would be ideal for the Raiders to have a wideout who is in his prime and a No. 1 guy, perhaps the Silver and Black can pursue a guy who has been a top wideout but is on the downside of his career as a stopgap.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has been the No. 1 there and is a free agent this offseason. However, seeing as he will be 33 years old when the 2026 NFL season starts, the pass-catcher is on the downside of his career.
Nonetheless, the Raiders have young receivers and could draft another this offseason who could learn from Evans. Moreover, he’s played with minority owner Tom Brady, who could come in to convince his former teammate.
In 2025, Evans posted 30 catches for 368 yards and scored three touchdowns in eight games in 2025, per StatMuse . Moreover, Evans’ lack of production last season was due to time missed with a hamstring strain and a fractured clavicle.
Mike Evans Floated as Veteran WR Option for Raiders
On a Feb. 10 appearance on CBS Sports HQ , CBS Sports’ John Breech stated that the Raiders pursuing a veteran pass catcher to help Mendoza would be ideal, leading to him naming Evans as a potential option.
“The only thing you want to do is bring in guys who can help your young quarterback,” Breech said. “We know they have Brock Bowers. We know they have Ashton Jeanty. So they have the tight end situation settled. They have the running back situation settled.
“Why not go out and get some receivers and some help on the offensive line? I think bringing in a veteran receiver would be interesting, someone like Mike Evans. I don’t know if he’s going to want to go to a rebuilding team, but a veteran who can help Mendoza in his rookie year.”
