John Spytek has plenty of work to do to get the Las Vegas Raiders’ house in order before Fernando Mendoza’s likely arrival.
Without specifically naming the Heisman Trophy winner and expected No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, the general manager ruminated at the NFL scouting combine last week about all the building blocks that would be nice to have in place ahead of a rookie quarterback’s selection.
‘I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,’ Spytek said. ‘ … Obviously a great offensive line, a run game – all the things that can limit his chances to really get killed. And a great defense, too, because if he doesn’t have to go out there and feel like he has to score 35 points every week, I think that’s helpful.’
So … about all that …
After agreeing Friday night to trade five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, the Raiders have unparalleled resources to shift their long-term fortunes. Not only does Las Vegas now boast 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the team also boosted its league-high spending capacity to $121.7 million, according to Over The Cap.
Yet for all the transformative potential awaiting the franchise in the next seven weeks, the move also entrenched the Silver and Black as having the league’s least settled roster entering NFL free agency next week. And after last year’s attempted return to relevance went off the rails, Spytek and co-owner Tom Brady still have to prove that they can assemble the proper pieces for a rather imposing build ahead.
Brady in particular needs to make the same kind of Year 2 leap in the personnel world as he did in the broadcasting booth.
While it’s far too early to judge last year’s draft class, it’s clear that Spytek and Brady’s first offseason at the helm of an NFL franchise was an abject disaster. Brady, per The Athletic, resisted the idea of signing Sam Darnold, who would go on to win Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks. The Raiders’ trade for Geno Smith initially inspired some hope for the new regime to at least establish some baseline competency, but the veteran signal-caller would go on to pace the NFL in interceptions (17) and sacks taken (55). No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty was left with little room to run in a disappointing rookie campaign, and the team’s other first-year players also struggled to find their way.
That dynamic led to the ouster of head coach Pete Carroll after just one year, with the organization taking on yet another full-scale reset. In shipping off Crosby – whose performance and dedication set a bar no one else in the organization even approached – the Raiders have torn their defense down to the studs. And while Spytek and Brady have additional ammo to bolster Mendoza’s supporting cast on offense, the quarterback might frequently find himself in the kind of high-scoring affairs in which his team will be ill-suited to keep pace.
And the Raiders have plenty of experience in getting burned by splashy offseason moves, too.
Spending on big names has never been an issue for the team, which has whiffed on the likes of Christian Wilkins, Chandler Jones and Jimmy Garoppolo, among others. Yet its draft track record is even more ghastly than its forays into free agency. Former general manager Mike Mayock’s whiffs in 2020 (Henry Ruggs III, Damon Arnette) and 2021 (Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs, Johnathan Abram) serve as a reminder that having multiple first-round picks hardly guarantees securing difference-makers. And perhaps no other organization has gotten less out of its many top-100 picks than Mark Davis’ crew.
So where do Brady and Spytek go from here, and how does the Crosby trade alter any plans in the offseason? Let’s take a look:
Raiders’ NFL free agency plan: Which top players should they be in on?
With needs across the board, expect the Raiders to be linked to just about every big name on the open market. Two, however, stand out above the rest: Center Tyler Linderbaum and wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Linderbaum, the top true free agent on Nate Davis’ top 100 rankings, should command a market-setting payout after earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod last season for the Baltimore Ravens. Some teams might not be inclined to splurge at this position, but equipping Mendoza with a savvy pivot could be one of the fastest ways to ease his acclimation to the NFL. There are plenty of weak links along the Raiders’ line, so a double-dip on high-priced veterans might be necessary.
Pierce, meanwhile, looks on track to earn a sizable sum after leading the NFL in yards per catch for the second consecutive year. His proven downfield ability would surely be captivating to an offense that couldn’t open things up amid the pervasive protection problems. But he also figures to drive a serious bidding war, and the Raiders will have to consider what price point they’re comfortable with. Reuniting first-year coach Klint Kubiak with speedster Rashid Shaheed could also be a consideration. But with another early pick in the fold, the Raiders might not need to be quite so aggressive here.
Will the Raiders look to sign a big name on the edge now that Crosby is gone? Replacing him with a free-agent signing is impossible, but there are some intriguing options for a front seven with a serious lack of juice. Jaelan Phillips would be the most enticing possibility, and Las Vegas could afford to pay a premium for an immensely talented 26-year-old. With the defense switching to a 3-4, Odafe Oweh and Boye Mafe also could provide a spark.
There’s no position on defense where the Raiders could wave off additional help, so with Crosby gone, it could be even more important for the team to bring in a few solid starters.
And while the team’s future will be built through the draft, hitting the right notes in free agency is critical for creating the kind of framework for success that last year’s rookies lacked.
Raiders’ NFL draft picks: Where might team turn after Crosby trade?
With the No. 14 overall pick now in hand, the Raiders could be in prime position to address the aforementioned sore spots at receiver and along the offensive line.
USA TODAY Sports’ latest NFL mock draft has Las Vegas going with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. He certainly would be a sensible weapon to pair with tight end Brock Bowers, as would Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. And the possibility of reuniting Mendoza with Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. surely will at least be a talking point.
But if the Raiders still feel unsatisfied up front entering the draft, they might find a solution early on. The team could be poised to pounce if Miami’s Francis Mauigoa or Utah’s Spencer Fano falls, with either player coming in handy at either right tackle or guard. Meanwhile, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane could solidify a shaky interior and would hardly be out of place going No. 14 overall.
Any fill-in for Crosby, however, could be hard to come by. The top three edge rushers – Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. – all should be gone by the time the Raiders’ second pick comes up, and there might not be a worthwhile alternative at that point in the draft. Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas, Missouri’s Zion Young and Illinois’ Gabe Jacas all could be of interest on Day 2.