Trade rumors swirled. Whispers grew louder. But inside the Raiders’ building, the message is clear: Maxx Crosby isn’t going anywhere.
As the NFL world fixates on mock drafts, quarterback drama, and blockbuster speculation, Las Vegas general manager Eliot Wolf delivered a steady, unmistakable signal — the Raiders expect their defensive cornerstone to stay put.
And that stance matters.
Because while Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest 2026 mock draft projects sweeping changes across the league — including Fernando Mendoza landing at No. 1 overall in Las Vegas — the Raiders aren’t planning a rebuild that includes moving their best player.
They’re planning around him.
Crosby: The Foundation, Not the Trade Chip
Crosby has been the emotional engine of the Raiders’ defense for years — relentless, vocal, and wildly productive off the edge. In an offseason where rumors often spiral faster than facts, speculation emerged that Las Vegas could consider moving him as part of a roster reset.
That idea now appears unlikely.
Wolf’s expectation that Crosby remains in silver and black signals something bigger: the Raiders don’t view this as a teardown.
They view it as a recalibration.
And that aligns perfectly with Kiper’s projection.
The Mendoza Era Begins?
In Kiper’s latest mock draft, the Raiders select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall — calling him the clear-cut best QB in the class.
Klint Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl-winning run as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, would get his franchise quarterback. Pair Mendoza with rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty and dynamic tight end Brock Bowers, and suddenly the Raiders’ offense has structure and upside.
But here’s the key:
None of that works if the defense collapses.
Keeping Crosby ensures that as Las Vegas reshapes its offense, it doesn’t sacrifice its identity on the other side of the ball.
A League in Flux
Kiper’s mock paints a chaotic but fascinating first round:
- The Jets shock the board with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 2.
- The Cardinals double down on pass rush with David Bailey.
- The Chiefs add explosive running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 9.
- The Patriots reload on the edge with R Mason Thomas at No. 31.
- The defending champion Seahawks reinforce their secondary with Avieon Terrell at No. 32.
Across the board, contenders are reinforcing strengths — not tearing them down.
That context makes the Raiders’ Crosby stance even more logical.
Why Moving Crosby Never Made Sense
If Las Vegas were in full rebuild mode, dealing a star for draft capital would be understandable.
But drafting Mendoza at No. 1 signals a different timeline.
Rookie quarterbacks thrive when defenses keep games manageable. They grow faster when they aren’t forced into weekly shootouts.
Crosby’s presence gives the Raiders exactly that: stability, leadership, and relentless pressure off the edge.
Trading him would create a leadership vacuum and send the wrong message to a locker room about to welcome a rookie franchise QB.
The Real Gamble
The bigger gamble isn’t Crosby.
It’s Mendoza.
Kiper calls him the best quarterback in the class — precise, competitive, pro-ready. But he’s not a Mahomes-style improviser. He’s not an Allen-style physical marvel.
He’s a system operator.
Which makes roster construction — and defensive strength — even more important.
If Las Vegas keeps Crosby, shores up the offensive line, and adds weapons in free agency, Mendoza steps into a balanced situation.
If they move Crosby and weaken the defense, the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Stability Over Shock Value
In an offseason full of flashy predictions, this might be the Raiders’ smartest non-move.
Keep the star. Draft the quarterback. Build around both.
That’s not dramatic.
It’s disciplined.
And if the Raiders execute this plan correctly, 2026 won’t be about trade rumors.
It’ll be about whether Mendoza’s arrival — backed by Crosby’s dominance — sparks a new era in Las Vegas.
Because sometimes, the biggest headline isn’t who you draft.
It’s who you refuse to let go.
Leave a Reply