Las Vegas Raiders consider Kayshon Boutte trade, eye rookie QB Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders are evaluating a possible trade for New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, with Sports Illustrated reporting the price could be a fifth‑ or sixth‑round draft pick. Boutte, entering the final year of his rookie contract, has 78 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 34 games and posted a career‑high six TDs last season. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek see the move as a way to bolster a receiver group that currently includes Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and rookie Malik Benson, and the team has projected $72 million in cap space for 2027.

Separately, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has said rookie Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza could replace veteran Kirk Cousins as the Raiders’ starter by midseason. Mendoza, who threw for 3,535 yards and 41 TDs at Indiana, is viewed as a long‑term solution despite the Raiders’ low‑ranked offensive line and thin receiver corps. Moon believes allowing Mendoza to learn behind Cousins mirrors the development paths of other recent NFL stars, while the team hopes Cousins can keep them competitive in the short term.