You know how many Heisman Trophy winners that the Raiders have drafted?
And think about how many Heisman Trophy winners that they drafted are actually in the Hall of Fame," Smith told Heavy Sports.
The Raiders have selected five Heisman winners historically, including Hall of Famers Tim Brown, Charles Woodson, and Marcus Allen, along with Bo Jackson and Mendoza.
Smith said that while adding Mendoza will positively impact the offense, front-line upgrades remain imperative.
"And at the end of the day, this draft here is going to help Ashton Jeanty because he has a young quarterback that can be groomed into becoming a great quarterback," Smith told Heavy Sports.
"So that's a good thing."
Smith reiterated that individual talent cannot overcome systematic deficiencies in blocking and receiving personnel.
"But if you don't upgrade that offensive line, I don't care how good your first-round draft quarterback is or how good your first-round draft pick running back is, nothing is going to work, nothing," Smith told Heavy Sports.
Smith noted that the presence of minority owner Tom Brady provides valuable institutional knowledge.
"I mean, there's a lot of holes that need to be filled," Smith told Heavy Sports. "And it starts with the mindset that the organization needs to have.
They got Tom Brady now, so that's a good thing."
Smith maintained that Jeanty has the potential to be a 1,000-yard back for many years if given proper support.
"And I think Ashton Jeanty has the potential to be 1,000 yards back for many years to come.
But he cannot do that without the right system, the right coaching, and enough of the right players around him," Smith told Heavy Sports.
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To address offensive line deficiencies, Las Vegas acquired free agent center Tyler Linderbaum to bolster protection for the upcoming campaign.
