If confidence were a draft strategy, the Raiders would have aced it. George Gumbs Jr. at the 219th overall pick is 54 spots clear of where he belonged. A F, plain and simple.

They have staked the next five years on Fernando Mendoza, which is the only story that really matters here. The trades bled value they could not afford to lose. They will regret leaving wide receiver for another day if the season turns on it.

Getting Everette where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. Spend now, pay later; the math only works if this class delivers.

Bottom line, it will take a lot of luck to make this look better later.