There’s been a wide assumption, nearly from the moment they clinched the worst record in the league, that the Las Vegas Raiders are prepared to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Yet, that may not be etched in stone quite yet.
The Raiders did have a large contingent scouting Mendoza, including during the Heisman-winner’s win in the College Football National Championship. Though, perhaps the Raiders aren’t 100% sold on Mendoza being their next franchise QB.
According to Raiders general manager John Spytek, the franchise will always consider trade offers for the top pick in the draft.
“I learned a long time ago — always listen,” Spytek said. “I’m always listening. I saw him a bunch of times this season, evaluating him. We’re not allowed to talk to him, so that’s as close as I’ve gotten, standing on the sideline before games.”
If the Raiders are “always listening”, then we’d assume that includes offers for Maxx Crosby, despite their best efforts to say they want him back. Whether Crosby feels the same remains to be seen, but he’s tried to make it known through back-channels that he’d like to play elsewhere.
Still, if the Raiders really are listening to offers rather than opting to stick and pick Mendoza, it opens up the door for a potential blockbuster offer, much like how the Rams traded up to take Jared Goff in 2016.
Related: Aidan Hutchinson Discusses ‘Dream’ of Detroit Lions Trading for Maxx Crosby
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