Maxx Crosby's Praise for Fernando Mendoza: A Glimpse into the Future

Fernando Mendoza is making waves and catching the attention of NFL teams, especially the Las Vegas Raiders. His standout performances in the College Football Playoff have put him in the spotlight as a potential top draft pick. The Raiders, who hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, are in dire need of a quarterback, and Mendoza seems to be the perfect fit. Maxx Crosby, a defensive end for the Raiders, has some high praise for Mendoza. He shared his thoughts on the "Let's Go! " podcast, highlighting Mendoza's impressive interviews and genuine personality. Crosby described Mendoza as a winner with an incredible future ahead of him. He also noted that Mendoza's journey to becoming a Heisman winner is unique and inspiring.However, the question remains: Will Mendoza and Crosby be teammates in 2026? Crosby's future with the Raiders is uncertain, as there has been speculation about a possible trade. The Raiders are in the midst of a rebuild, and trading Crosby could bring in valuable assets. But having Mendoza lead the offense and Crosby lead the defense would be a dream scenario for the team. There are arguments for the Raiders to trade down from the No. 1 pick to accumulate more draft picks. However, if the team believes Mendoza is the right choice, it makes sense to keep the top pick. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal argues that passing on a franchise-caliber quarterback would be a mistake. He encourages the Raiders to be confident and build around Mendoza, rather than being scared of the challenge. In the end, the Raiders have a big decision to make. They need to weigh the benefits of keeping the No. 1 pick and selecting Mendoza against the potential gains of trading down. Whatever they decide, it will shape the future of the franchise.