Yes, you guessed correctly, Raider Nation; another mock draft featuring Maxx Crosby, the heralded pass rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders, is underway. It would be a cruel irony to not only see No. 98 get shipped off, but what would make it worse is if he went to a familiar team, the Windy City, perhaps?
Raiders general manager John Spytek and new head coach Klint Kubiak have both publicly stated that they want Crosby as a Raider. In the past, Crosby himself has spoken highly of the honor that it is to put on the Silver and Black. At the same time, he has not done himself any favors with his media appearances this offseason. At no point has he actually shot down any of the rumors, taking an indirect, vague route instead.
This week, following the NFL Combine, the conjecture has only intensified. With that being said, would Spytek actually pull the trigger on a deal involving the perennial Pro Bowler? More importantly, would majority owner Mark Davis actually approve a trade? He has always expressed his affection for Crosby and all of his players, so would he consider making such an unprecedented move?
The last time that the Raiders traded away a beloved player, it was to the Chicago Bears and we know how that played out. Well, it might just happen again. So, why not examine a potential trade and how a three-round mock draft then plays out?
- Raiders receive: WR Luther Burden III, No. 25 pick, No. 57 pick, and ’27 1st round pick
- Bears receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby, ’27 3rd round pick
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: Finding a new identity…
Round 1, No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza keeps bringing up the number 134. That was his high school QB ranking, and he calls it fair. Raw. Terrible. Now he is Indiana’s Heisman winner, coming off 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six picks, and he is the favorite for the Raiders at No. 1. Plus, Brady as a mentor is a real lure. He skipped combine drills and will throw on April 1 at Indiana’s pro day. Red flag or self-belief? Teammates say he rarely took the bait. If growth is the skill, do you bet your rebuild on it?
Round 1, No. 25: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald looks like the kind of Raiders pick you feel before you see it. Thick build, massive legs, quick off the snap, and strong enough to stand up guards and reset the line when his pad level is right. He runs on his feet, slides laterally, and even when he loses a gap, he has the athleticism to recover and still make the tackle near the line.
The biggest red flag is simple: can he stay disciplined snap to snap, or will he flash and drift? In a division that lives in the trenches, that answer matters.
Round 2, No. 36: Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
Lee Hunter is not the flashy pick, but he might be the grown-up pick. A two-gapping nose with girth, length, and a 6-foot-9 wingspan can change a defense without ever touching the box score. He can stack, shed, and stabilize run fits against the zone, and his low pads plus power can dent the pocket on early downs.
The concern is the trade-off: his block take-on technique needs refinement, and he is not built for heavy passing downs. So the question is simple for the Raiders: do you want a highlight reel or a center-fighting anchor that makes everyone else better?
Round 2, No. 57: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
Chase Bisontis approaches offensive line play with a personal intensity. His violent hands, aggressive run-game intent, and athleticism enable him to pull, climb, and dominate linebackers at the second level. With experience at both tackle and guard, he offers the Raiders flexibility to address their most pressing needs.
The appeal is obvious: he finishes through the whistle and rarely stays beaten because he can recover and re-anchor. The issue that could raise concern is the same one that follows every tone-setter: can he stay clean and controlled when the game speeds up, or will the aggression cost you? Still, if you want an identity up front, this is how you buy one.
Round 3, No. 67: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Chandler Rivers feels like the kind of corner the Raiders have been missing: a coverage player who actually trusts his eyes. In zone, he reads the quarterback, jumps routes, and turns “boring” throws into turnovers. He has inside-outside flexibility and the hips to carry receivers when his technique is right.
The caveat is legit with Rivers. At 5 foot 10 and 185, Rivers has to win with timing, and he can be a beat late turning and running when receivers stack him vertically. He is not a pure burner, so there is less room for error. Still, if the Raiders want more disruption, his instincts can manufacture it.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images
Pick 57 and LB3 won’t happen. 25 plus next year 1 or 2 and DJ is possible.