Las Vegas Raiders normal supervisor John Spytek is spinning numerous plates on the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix, the place the franchise will get a first-hand have a look at 319 candidates to be the No. 1 choose within the draft.
The Raiders have not had the No. 1 choose since 2007 once they chosen LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
What’s Spytek in search of because the Raiders rebuild a roster that completed a league-worst 3-14 in 2026?
“All of it. We gained three video games final yr,” Spytek mentioned. “We have got to be tremendous sincere with the place we’re at. We have got numerous wants to handle and numerous capital to do it.”
Spytek shot down reviews the Raiders are leaning towards buying and selling 29-year-old defensive finish Maxx Crosby. Crosby was disgruntled on the finish of the common season when the Raiders held him out as a result of he was banged up. Crosby thought-about himself wholesome.
After a training change with Klint Kubiak changing Pete Carroll, Spytek mentioned Tuesday he’s assured Crosby is not going to be traded.
“I’m. Maxx is an elite participant and I have been very up entrance from the beginning once I obtained right here. It is onerous to construct a terrific staff with out elite gamers. Maxx and I’ve a terrific relationship. We discuss on a regular basis. We textual content, discuss on the cellphone. He is within the constructing on a regular basis.”
The Raiders additionally usually are not “buying” the No. 1 choose within the draft. However Spytek mentioned he discovered from his time with Howie Roseman in Philadelphia and Jason Licht in Tampa Bay that “you all the time hear.”
With out particularly naming Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Spytek mentioned the Raiders are considering quarterbacks who’ve “ardour, humility and put together for the sport the proper manner.” He was in-person for a number of Indiana video games in 2025 and attended the nationwide championship sport. NFL personnel isn’t allowed to speak to school gamers, so Spytek is considering studying extra about Mendoza and the opposite quarterbacks within the 2026 draft class.
“How they will deal with the stress of being 1 of 32 on this planet,” Spytek mentioned of essentially the most crucial analysis of the place. “To us it is about how a lot can they course of, how onerous do they work, how a lot do they keep in mind.”
Spytek mentioned he is “not essentially in favor of working out” a rookie quarterback straight away. Having a veteran — Geno Smith is beneath contract, Kenny Pickett is a free agent — sounding board who may play forward of the prized passer is a precedence. He mentioned the 18-minute formal interviews this week on the mix can be vital to find out “management traits, humility” however later classes with prospects are extra very important in making his remaining resolution.
He is additionally keen to lean on minority proprietor Tom Brady, who’s enjoying a major function in shaping the rebuild of the Raiders.
“He is the most effective ever to do it,” Spytek mentioned. “Whoever is enjoying quarterback for the Raiders has a terrific alternative to study from Tom. Tom is a good useful resource for them.”
–Area Degree Media
