😱 Maxx Crosby BACK in Raiders Building! Las Vegas Raiders on the Clock for Fernando Mendoza! 😱

The Las Vegas Raiders are once again making headlines, but not for reasons that inspire confidence.

Yesterday’s game against the New York Giants was a brutal display of just how far the Raiders have fallen, with the Giants managing to look slightly less dysfunctional.

The Raiders, by contrast, resembled a team in free fall, struggling to stay competitive while seemingly resigned to tanking for a high draft pick.

Pro Football Focus recently released a mock draft reflecting the current standings, and for the first time, the Raiders are projected to select Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

Mendoza boasts an impressive 88.2 passing grade from PFF, ranking seventh in the FBS, with 21 big-time throws and only nine turnover-worthy plays.

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His ball security and poise would be a welcome change for the Raiders, whose current quarterback, Gino Smith, leads the NFL in interceptions.

This potential move signals a shift in the Raiders’ draft strategy.

Previously, much speculation centered on Dante Moore as the top quarterback prospect for Las Vegas, but with the Raiders now holding the number one overall pick, they may pivot toward Mendoza.

Mendoza’s size, leadership, and work ethic have drawn comparisons to Tom Brady, a connection that would surely appeal to the Raiders’ leadership, especially given Brady’s involvement with the team.

However, the offseason drama extends beyond draft picks.

Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ star defensive end, recently made headlines after being shut down for the season due to a knee injury.

Raiders open up on Maxx Crosby IR decision — and his future — in telling  twist to walkout drama

Crosby expressed frustration and anger at the decision, insisting he was healthy enough to play and wanted to be on the field with his teammates.

His public comments to Jay Glazer of NFL on Fox revealed a player unwilling to accept the team’s decision quietly.

According to reports, Crosby had been dealing with a knee injury since week three but played through the pain.

The Raiders consulted multiple doctors who ultimately recommended ending his season to prevent further damage.

Crosby sought second opinions but was overruled by the team’s medical staff, leading to a public fallout and his abrupt departure from the facility.

Despite the tension, head coach Pete Carroll recently stated that the issues between Crosby and the Raiders have been resolved, and Crosby is back in the building.

Raiders Lock Up Maxx Crosby with Huge $106.5M Deal, Setting Non-QB Pay  Record

Carroll’s comments suggest a truce, but it remains unclear what role Crosby will play moving forward or how this incident might affect team chemistry.

The Raiders’ internal power dynamics also add complexity to the situation.

Questions swirl around who truly holds sway in the organization—Tom Brady or John Spytek.

Both are influential figures, but Brady’s star power and vision for the team appear to dominate.

It’s believed that Brady is heavily involved in shaping the Raiders’ quarterback future, making the Mendoza pick feel like a “Tom Brady kind of pick.”

Maxx Crosby addresses Tom Brady possibly playing for Raiders | Yardbarker

Meanwhile, the draft landscape remains fluid.

Dante Moore’s decision to enter the draft is still uncertain, with rumors that the University of Oregon may offer him a lucrative deal to return for another year to gain more experience.

Analysts suggest that more college starts improve a quarterback’s NFL success odds, making a return for Moore, Mendoza, and other prospects like Ty Simpson a sensible choice.

The Raiders’ quarterback situation is dire, with Gino Smith’s interception-prone play highlighting the urgent need for a franchise signal-caller.

Selecting Mendoza would represent a commitment to a new era, but it also comes with risks, as Mendoza has yet to prove himself at the professional level.

Raiders fans won't believe who tried trading for Maxx Crosby at the combine

In summary, the Raiders face a pivotal offseason filled with tough decisions and internal drama.

Maxx Crosby’s return is a positive sign, but his injury saga underscores the team’s struggles.

The potential drafting of Fernando Mendoza signals hope for the future but also raises questions about the team’s direction and leadership.

As the Raiders prepare for the draft and beyond, fans can only hope the organization finds stability and a clear path forward.

The combination of on-field struggles, player unrest, and front office intrigue makes this one of the most critical periods in recent Raiders history.