The Las Vegas Raiders addressed the quarterback position this offseason by trading for Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks.
Though Smith is a solid veteran starter and is under contract until the end of the 2027 season, the Raiders could look to find their quarterback of the future sooner rather than later.
NFL Spin Zone's Lou Scataglia predicts Las Vegas will select Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to eventually replace Smith.
"John Mateer might find himself rising up the NFL Draft board in the coming college football season, and the Las Vegas Raiders are absolutely a team that needs to figure out a long-term QB situation. Geno Smith is average at best and is likely only going to be with the team for a few years at most," Scataglia wrote.
Mateer transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State in December and is slated to be the Sooners' starting quarterback in 2025.
The Texas native tossed 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions last year and could be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class with an impressive 2025 campaign.
The Raiders need a promising young quarterback in 2026, and Mateer could be Pete Carroll's guy.
