The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the consensus is that they will use it to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
However, that hasn’t stopped other teams from calling the Raiders about potentially trading down from the top selection.
The prospect of that seems highly unlikely, but there is always a chance that the Raiders could receive an offer they simply can’t refuse.
General manager John Spytek said he will do his due diligence and listen to any proposal that comes his way, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk:
“I learned a long time ago — always listen,” Spytek said on Tuesday at the scouting combine. “I’m always listening.”
After a 3-14 season that saw Geno Smith struggle as the starting quarterback, the Raiders are desperately searching for a long-term solution at the position.
Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who just led the Hoosiers to a national championship, seems to check off every box for a potential No. 1 draft pick.
He is a natural leader with a high football IQ and could help bring a winning culture to the Raiders, playing in new head coach Klint Kubiak’s offensive-friendly system.
However, the team needs to make sure that he is the right choice or it could set the franchise back even further. Spytek keeping an open mind is the right approach, even if it seems like a foregone conclusion that Mendoza will be behind center for the Raiders in 2026.
John Spytek expects Maxx Crosby back with Raiders in 2026
In addition to figuring out what to do with the No. 1 overall draft pick, the Raiders must decide on whether Maxx Crosby will return to the team next season.
Crosby has been with the Raiders for seven years, dating back to their time in Oakland. He has established himself as one of the best pass rushers in football, making five Pro Bowls and notching four double-digit sack seasons.
Now 28 years old, Crosby might be ready to go somewhere where he can compete, and the franchise might want to reset the clock around their potential new franchise signal caller in Mendoza.
However, Spytek seems confident that Crosby will still be in silver and black when the 2026 season begins.