# Chad Ochocinco Johnson: Johnson says Fernando Mendoza doesn't need to throw at the Combine because he's going to the Raiders regardless of what other teams want to see. **Claimed:** Feb 22, 2026 **Pundit:** Chad Ochocinco Johnson — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chad-ochocinco-johnson **Outlet:** Nightcap (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/nightcap-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview **Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/nightcap-with-unc-ocho/nightcap-hour-2-cardinals-rondale-moore-passes-away-jaxson-smith-njigba-seeks-to-become-highest-paid-wr-cowboys-javonte-williams-agree-to-deal-fernando-mendoza-opts-out-of-throwing-at-combine-lakers-raising-ticket-prices One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened. It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record. Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in. > I don't know what any other teams want to see you going to the Raiders no matter what. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Fernando Mendoza to move to Las Vegas Raiders** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Fernando Mendoza — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/fernando-mendoza - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders ## What others said about the same people - Steven Ruiz on Las Vegas Raiders: Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a30ff469-4972-4c48-855b-ba984e4de9d0 (scored 100) - Nate Tice on Las Vegas Raiders: Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b8378e16-ea5c-4107-a883-28aaf0e71134 (scored 100) - Chris Broussard on Las Vegas Raiders: Broussard picked the Bills to beat the Chargers in a competitive, higher-scoring game, said the Chiefs will rout the Dolphins, and for upset alert parlayed the Patriots over the Jaguars and the Raiders over the Saints. He also restated his Cowboys-versus-Ravens Super Bowl matchup pick. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dee7585c-6da6-4afc-9954-ff32cf8de4e3 (scored 100) - Hondo Carpenter on Patrick Johnson: Carpenter says the right guard competition currently favors Jackson Powers-Johnson over Caleb Rogers, though he expects Rogers to get starts at some point this season, and he projects veteran DE Patrick Johnson to make the 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ca5f809a-068e-4d04-b0fc-e392ed8f0c13 (scored 100) - Hondo Carpenter on Aidan O'Connell: Carpenter predicts special-teams linebacker Segun Olubi will make the Raiders' 53-man roster, with Las Vegas carrying five inside linebackers. He also notes projections that the Raiders keep all three quarterbacks, including Aidan O'Connell. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bef79899-9859-4758-9cb0-e3400c3a6c8e (scored 100) - Hondo Carpenter on Kirk Cousins: Carpenter projects the Raiders' 53-man roster will include 10 defensive backs (four safeties and six cornerbacks) and three quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins kept barring a compelling trade offer. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d646fde9-b295-4ee8-a853-a1b9bfc8fb20 (scored 100) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Fox Sports on Austin Ekeler: The piece reports, citing ESPN, that Carolina is expected to sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler with Jonathon Brooks sidelined. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a3aa7c15-e643-4c03-85d9-10aef8b4085a (scored 0) - Steve Kubitza on Za'Darius Smith: Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/54fca826-8644-4e76-bc3f-5d8d44bcca23 (scored 100) - Mary Kay Cabot on Za'Darius Smith: Cabot reported that Za'Darius Smith is expected to sign with the Browns, possibly as early as Sunday, after working out for the team. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3eb50e55-cb33-43c3-a427-d47904beb7bb (scored 0) - Brandon Carney on Austin Ekeler: Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c4d477da-4fb8-4a25-a904-c5057a249a70 (scored 0) - Adam Carlson on J.J. McCarthy: Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/65e3f9cf-c441-42a2-baaf-7cd3dbebafad (scored 100) - Greg Auman on J.J. McCarthy: Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9b8eb78e-ddfa-4274-ac8f-17b069e6b87f (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=chad-ochocinco-johnson