FOUNDATION: Are the Raiders Setting Fernando Mendoza Up to SINK or SWIM Right Out of the Gate?

Hinzugefügt: 2026-04-29

[00:00:01]The Raiders made Fernando Mendoza the number one pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

[00:00:07]How are they set up around him? We're exploring that today on the Locked On NFL Scouting podcast.

[00:00:18]You are locked on NFL scouting with the Draft Dudes. Your daily podcast for NFL and college football scouting. Part of the Locked On podcast network. your team every day.

[00:00:33]>> What's better than this? It's guys being dudes. I'm Joe Marino. That's Kyle Krabs. On today's episode, we are exploring the situation in Vegas around number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Kyle, we've been doing doing this for a while. I'm excited to uh apply it to the 2026 QB class. Yeah, it's been going back to 2021.

[00:01:04]So, this is year five of doing this exercise. Draft dudes do math. A little dangerous, but early in the morning, but I think I got that right. And um it's been really neat to see what what players end up outperforming expectations.

[00:01:22]Uh we have these two quarterbacks from this year that we'll be stacking in with the first round guys. The two quarterbacks from uh last year were in the bottom third of the situations that we've done and the Giants picked five and the Titans picked four. So, it was another year where the situation >> kind of played through with uh with the performance for the team on the field regardless of how good Cam Ward or Jackson Dart did or didn't play themselves because it's not just about them.

[00:01:57]>> So, we are going to consider Mendoza and the Raiders through the lens of the coaching, the quarterback room around Mendoza, his offensive line, pass catchers, the run game, and defense.

[00:02:10]Kyle and I will independently grade each of those categories on a scale of one to five. Our criteria for each number is that a one equals a fail. Like you just you do not have the right stuff. Two is below average, three is average, four is excellent, and five is man this is perfect for this guy. And so the Raiders obviously a team that's in year one of Clint Kubak.

[00:02:39]um another kind of new regime. They of course John Spyitech continues as a general manager, but they're still they're still kind of young in in setting the foundation around Mendoza.

[00:02:51]So, we'll see where this score lands. We will start with the coaching situation where, as we stated, the head coach is Clint Kubak, a first year head coach.

[00:03:01]The offensive coordinator is Andrew Janako. The quarterback's coach is Mike Sullivan. The passing game coordinator is Nick Holes and then of course they have an assistant head coach in Mike McCoy who has quite the background in the NFL. So a lot of uh a lot of different voices in the ear of Mr. Mendoza. Yeah, I think the biggest one obviously is that of clean Kubiaak and what he was able to kind of create for the reputation he was carrying his 2024 season in New Orleans before coming over to Seattle and the overhaul that they did on that offensive scheme this past year. So, um, I think Kubak's a great style of coach to have with Fernando, although, you know, the translation of the exact scheme is one that will probably take a little bit of time uh to come into play. But I think, you know, for me, Kubak sets it as an average by himself. And then the question I asked myself, and I don't know if you did it the same way, was do the rest of the names around him aggregate um do they add any value or not?

[00:04:14]>> Right. I I had a very similar methodology. I also went through and I considered >> like what first round quarterbacks each of them were around while they were part of the coaching staff. like which first round quarterback was drafted while they were part of the coaching staff. Here's the inventory. Kubak had Paxton Lynch and Teddy Bridgewwater.

[00:04:39]Janako did not have any first round quarterbacks that I could identify. Mike Sullivan was there for Kenny Picket in Pittsburgh.

[00:04:46]Nick Holtz just went through Cam Ward last year in Tennessee.

[00:04:50]>> And then Mike McCoy, I I thought there'd be more. The only one was Tim Tibo. He was the Broncos offensive.

[00:04:58]>> The only one it was Tim TBO and then he was with Trevor Lawrence uh for his second, third, and fourth season uh but not the rookie season. So, an interesting resume of first round quarterbacks that these guys have been around uh in terms of when they were drafted. But I'm with you, Kyle. I think Clint sets the floor here and I really think a lot about the personality mesh where I think Mendoza's different, right? I think he's got some unique quirks about him and uh just the way that he carries himself. I'm not saying it's bad by any means. It's just a little different. And Kubiaak, I don't think is a big personality at all. I don't think there's a ton of like just charisma that surrounds him. And I I actually feel like kind of his steadiness as not a big personality head coach is going to mesh well with Mendoza and their their relationship moving forward.

[00:05:50]I like the football scheme side of what I think Kubak's going to want to do and what Mendoza offers, but I think there's also a good personality mesh.

[00:05:58]>> So, I landed at a 2.75.

[00:06:06]If three or we calling three average, >> three is average.

[00:06:10]>> All right, then I'll I'll make it a three and keep we'll keep the consistency on what we are classifying average for both of us with the number scale the same. So they both get three points out of a fivepoint scale for coaching for Fernando Mendoz.

[00:06:25]>> Yes.

[00:06:26]>> Quarterback room.

[00:06:30]>> Cousins.

[00:06:31]>> That's all we need to know right here.

[00:06:32]Kirko coming in.

[00:06:34]And what I really like about Kirk Cousins being the main figure in the room with Mendoza is when Kirk made the choice to come to Vegas, there was a clear understanding that they were about to pick Mendoza with this number one overall pick. This is not, hey, we're going to sign a massive deal in Atlanta and then they're going to turn around before I ever take a snap and draft a quarterback in the top 10 in Penn. And so I think Cousins and him just totally being aware of the situation that he's been asked to step into makes this a really attractive player to have in the room. Plus, I think they're quirky in some comparable ways that I think will be beneficial for Mendoza.

[00:07:20]>> Yeah, it's a huge difference for Kirk to know what the situation is and know what he's signing himself up for. And I think Kirk will probably get a chance to start at the beginning of the season.

[00:07:33]And I don't know how long that will go for, but that way they don't feel the pressure with Fernando and they can still feel like they can have a competitive football team with Kirk because he he does a great job of kind of executing what's available and it's just that the challenges there where he's at in this stage of his career being able to create things for himself.

[00:07:54]So whenever that costbenefit analysis starts to tip the other way, that's when they can go to Mendoza. Um, and then like Aiden Okonnell's like a not a bad second name to have in this room as somebody who's played some football, somebody who's smart guy, played a Purdue. Uh, I gave this group a four out of five.

[00:08:16]>> I I have a four and a half down for it.

[00:08:18]I think it's >> I thought about going higher. I probably could, but >> yeah, it's it's like I don't want to be giving out fives, you know? It's just I want to have some stinginess. Like, man, I really got to be over the moon. I'm pretty close.

[00:08:30]>> And and we have a situation tomorrow.

[00:08:33]Spoiler alert. The coaching situation in quarterback room in Los Angeles are those are going to get fives, right? So like >> there's going to be some high scores tomorrow.

[00:08:43]>> That's a five. Maybe we're not that was part of why I settle on a four.

[00:08:47]>> Yeah.

[00:08:49]>> There should be a little bit of separation between >> peel it back a little here.

[00:08:52]>> Yeah.

[00:08:53]>> All right. You want to go break and then we'll do pass catchers and offensive line?

[00:08:56]>> That's what we're doing, folks. Be sure to stick with us.

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[00:09:57]Pass catchers.

[00:09:58]>> Yeah, let's do pass catchers.

[00:10:02]>> Set the foundation for this.

[00:10:03]>> Yeah, I got it. It was uh a lot of early picks. Well, not I guess not a lot of early picks, but Tucker was a third round pick in 2023.

[00:10:14]Jack Bash was a second round pick in 2025.

[00:10:18]Dante Thornton was a fourth round pick in 2025.

[00:10:22]They drafted Malik Benson sixth round of this year's draft out of Oregon.

[00:10:27]Uh Dariq Young coming over in free agency. Jaylen Naylor coming over in free agency.

[00:10:34]>> Nice little contract for Jaylen Naylor.

[00:10:36]>> Yes. And then the rest of this group is kind of a hodgepodge of UDFAs. Haven't established ourselves in the NFL yet. guys whose better days are probably behind us with guys like Philip Dorset.

[00:10:52]Brennan Rice is an unestablished guy.

[00:10:54]Justin Sharter is an unestablished guy.

[00:10:56]Chase Roberts, CJ Williams is UDFAS.

[00:11:00]>> I gotta be honest with you, man. I didn't realize that Philip Dorset was still going.

[00:11:05]>> Still take it. Street free agent. 2025.

[00:11:07]Philip Dorset.

[00:11:08]>> He's a he's a 2015 first round pick, man. That uh really he really hasn't done much in the NFL. one season over 500 yards receiving. This guy's sticking around.

[00:11:18]>> Speaking of names like that, how about Albert E Okuam still in the tight end room here.

[00:11:23]>> Jeez, man. We got some >> down tight end five on the depth chart.

[00:11:28]>> We got some deep >> behind Ian Thomas.

[00:11:31]And then you we would be remiss to not mention the tight end room since we're talking all the pass catchers or Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer as >> Yeah.

[00:11:39]>> pair of young very gifted tight ends.

[00:11:43]That's what I like. I like the tight ends, Bowowers, Michael Mayer. I mean, even Ian Thomas has been a tenure player in the NFL, but I don't think you can look at this receiver room and feel like there's a lot of known commodities. I mean, Jaylen Naylor had his moments as like the fourth option in that Vikings offense. But we have a lot to learn about Jack BCH. I like the skill set, but we have a lot to learn. And I'd even say the same for Trey Tucker. Like, what's the fullness of that skill set?

[00:12:09]we have a lot of youth when it comes to the depth of the receiver core, but um I don't I don't find myself in love with this receiver situation. The tight end room looks really good. And then, you know, we have Ashton Genty, who I don't I think he's a fine receiving back, right? Like I don't he's not going to route everyone up all the time, but I think he's a perfectly serviceable player there. Um the tight end room really kind of carries this, but an underwhelming group of wide receivers kind of come in at a two on the pass catchers.

[00:12:40]>> Yeah, I was I was uh two and a half and Brock Bowers is doing a lot >> Oh, he's >> of heavy lifting here because I I do think he's a player that >> if you look at the entire receiving player situation and ask, do we have a player to set the whole thing around?

[00:12:57]The answer is yes. and Brock Powers.

[00:13:01]Now, wide receiver, totally different story, but I like that there's some young guys. I like that there's some explosiveness in that group. I think they'll generally be okay, but you don't have anybody that like tilts the field.

[00:13:17]>> Yeah.

[00:13:17]>> Um, so I went with two and a half. Do you find yourself interested in any of these like free agents that would be available like Debo Samuel, Joawan Jennings?

[00:13:30]I don't know. There's the Steph Diggs and Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins of the world. Like, is that going to help us? Is Arinos players going to help? I think Jennings would, but >> you know, was he inevitably just gonna sign with the Dolphins? Like, what's happening with Jennings? Well, I know Jennings wants a lot of money because he signed that extension with the 49ers and and then regretted it because everybody kept getting hurt and he was like, "Well, I could be like the guy here. I want more money." And they said, "No." So, they made him play on his deal last year. So, now he's 29 looking for whatever he can get after some missed market opportunity from his 2024 season.

[00:14:11]Um, I don't I know the Dolphins are interested, but unless it's for like less than $5 million, I don't >> Right. That feels like that's nowhere near what he's hoping for, >> right? Well, a billion%. He just had a visit with Minnesota yesterday, I believe.

[00:14:25]>> So, well, the Raiders have the money. That would probably be the one that I would look at and say, "Hey, if you want like a big bodied route runner who can block, like, >> why wouldn't you want that, >> right?" He's an animal at the point, too, man. like he for an accurate quarterback like Mendoza, a quarterback like Kirk that'll kind of put it in a spot. I mean, it's a decent spot for Jennings. Plus, there's targets to be had.

[00:14:49]>> They should be very interested in that.

[00:14:50]>> Yes. Yeah. Point being is they should be interested.

[00:14:53]>> Yeah.

[00:14:55]Uh you want to do the It's always so ambiguous between offensive line and run game.

[00:15:01]>> Yeah, I know. So, do you want to do the offensive line and talk about it through a pass protection standpoint and then we'll go to break and then we'll talk run game and include the run game elements of the offensive line in the run game conversation and score that one.

[00:15:20]>> Sure.

[00:15:21]>> Okay.

[00:15:22]>> So, this offensive line, we have Colton Miller as our left tackle who's been a good left tackle in a long for a long time coming off of injury, right? He only played like 250 snaps last year. Uh Spencer Berford uh penciled in at left guard. I'm sure Trey Zun a third round pick.

[00:15:38]>> He'll have something to say about that.

[00:15:39]>> We'll have something to say.

[00:15:40]>> Somebody will have something to say about that.

[00:15:42]>> Uh Tyler Linderbomb's going to play the center position for sure. And uh that's obviously one of the best two or three centers in the whole NFL. Uh Jackson Powers Johnson, your right guard, a 2024 second round pick that I think took a step forward last year >> even though the coaching staff despised him last year. Yeah, there's some there's a little little bit of goofiness with Yeah, that whole thing. They transition a lot of this offensive line.

[00:16:06]And then DJ Glaze at right tackle who I think has had his moments, but I mean he's given up a lot of pressure and sacks in his first couple seasons in the NFL as a 2024 third round pick.

[00:16:17]>> I'm I'm going to drop a take right now.

[00:16:18]At least one of these players will not be starting. I would not be surprised if two of them are not starting when it's all said and done.

[00:16:24]>> All right, so the C Bford and Glaze feel like the most logical not going to start. So, we think Charles Grant, Treyzun, uh, >> Charles Grant, Trey Zun, um, Caleb Rogers.

[00:16:38]>> Yeah. Third round pick.

[00:16:39]>> Jordan Meredith can play too now. So, >> right. He's been stiff armed by Linderbomb, but >> yeah, you're not wrong. Two or three of them could be different, man.

[00:16:49]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:16:51]>> Like it just just JPJ or for whatever reason that Pete Carol's group decided they despised him. like does that rear its head up again with Kubak staff and is there friction there and if there is like Rogers I mean Rogers and Grant were third round picks last year >> I like and I like Rogers a lot like I wouldn't dismiss it like what happens if Charles Grant can flip over and play right tackle and what happens if Trey Zoom beats out Berford and what happens if Caleb Rogers beats out JPJ like >> it's all possible a options, which is a good thing.

[00:17:29]>> It is good, but it's also a little concerning that we're not sitting here saying that there's more of this defined. We think there's two defined positions on this offensive line.

[00:17:37]>> That's what made the Tyler Linderbomb price point so necessary. Oh, the Raiders want to close Tyler Linderbomb, guess you better reset the center market by 50%.

[00:17:49]>> And they did.

[00:17:50]>> Tyler Linder Bomb's an awesome player.

[00:17:52]We'll say that. I think it's below average. Uh but not entirely below average. I give it a two and a half.

[00:17:58]>> I also have it as as two and a half.

[00:18:01]Yeah. Because it's and the pathway to being better is very reassuring that it's just like which one of these third round picks and there's three third there's four third round picks in the top six of the offensive or not top six in top eight, right? Because they're all listed right now as backups.

[00:18:23]But Glaze, Rogers, Grant, Zoo, who steps up out of that group. And if you get two of the guys that take positive >> development, this is not a two and a half out of five.

[00:18:38]>> But right now, we don't know who they're going to be, and we don't know that it's guaranteed that they're going to take the steps forward.

[00:18:44]>> I think the two style will help.

[00:18:46]>> Yes. Yes, I agree. and Rick Dennison, who's the offensive line coach, has a ton of time with the Kooaks, if you will. Uh, so they should speak the same language and he's got a big job in figuring out who who the best five are and and getting the most out of them.

[00:19:04]>> Two and a halfs.

[00:19:05]>> Two and a halfs.

[00:19:06]>> The good news for Fernando Mendoza is we have two categories left and he has now officially passed 2022 Justin Fields' situation on on scale.

[00:19:16]>> Very good. All right. All right. Well, >> they didn't have the chart set up. I I got it set up when we're in the the pre-show. So, >> all right. Run game and defense. Can Mendoza rely on those things? We'll talk about it next, folks. Be sure to stick with us.

[00:19:37]This has like a little bit of a Falcons feel minus Drake London, right?

[00:19:44]We have like a top a top tier talent at tight end in Bowowers. Compare that to Pitts. We have a big-time running back now in Ashton Genty. Kind of like Bjan Robinson.

[00:19:55]>> Raiders drafting Jeremiah Smith next year.

[00:19:58]>> Yeah, it's abs absolute destiny. Now hopefully for the Raiders they're not in range for him, but I don't know. I I spent a little time over the last few days. Of course I'm clicking on the way too early 2027 mockdraft. I'm going to do it every time.

[00:20:11]>> I have not read one.

[00:20:12]>> You haven't? Oh man. I' I've seen like four. I' I've read at least four and every time I'm like, "All right, what me what's so good about this 27 class?" And then it's like, "All right, there's like four top 10 quarterbacks. There's Jeremiah Smith in there. There's this edge rusher from South Carolina. This tackle from Texas. It's like >> Goulby. Goulby. Dylan Stewart."

[00:20:33]>> Yeah.

[00:20:33]>> Who are the quarterbacks? Because half of them aren't going to be there.

[00:20:36]>> Oh, I've seen Arch Manning.

[00:20:38]>> Yeah.

[00:20:38]>> I've seen um Dante Moore.

[00:20:42]>> Okay. There's an Oklahoma State quarterback.

[00:20:46]>> Oh, um, Messa Maker. Yes, >> he transferred from North Texas.

[00:20:50]>> I wasn't going to mess with that name. I saw that guy in there.

[00:20:53]>> He's got a rocket for an arm. I know that.

[00:20:55]>> I've seen Lenor Sers. I have seen >> went back to South Carolina.

[00:21:01]>> Kyle Kyle's been smelling a little stink on that.

[00:21:04]>> We We needed a different environment here to help us grow as a player.

[00:21:08]>> Oh man, there there were there were more. Uh I there were more uh there's a lot of different names that I saw.

[00:21:14]>> I remember when uh Garrett Nusmeer and and I was guilty of that. I like Garrett Nusmire a lot. Right.

[00:21:19]>> It was funny there.

[00:21:21]>> We were doing that conversation was a >> Yes. Yes. We were doing that conversation yesterday on the 2026 quarterback class and I'm like, "Yep, I remember when Drew Aller and Carson Beck and Garrett Nusmire." But you know who wasn't mocked in the first round?

[00:21:34]Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson until last year happened, right?

[00:21:38]It's it it's oh man it's always such an interesting journey but this conversation that that element of quarterback projection to the NFL or the consensus board debates that have raged the last 72 hours >> 96 hours even >> the the consensus board questions like coming up in GM interviews. Jere Jeremy White on WGR straight up asked Brandon Bean about it like in his radio interview about the consensus.

[00:22:07]>> Did he say anything about consensus outside of his own building or did he just say we create?

[00:22:11]>> He acknowledged it. He said, "Yeah, he's like we need to be aware of our own bias." You know what I mean? And like yeah, we we love a guy, but you know, it's got to make sense to where we pick him. And so he he did admit that there was there was definitely some acknowledgment of it. Not that there was something that was going to trump their own internal evaluation, but he acknowledged that it existed and they were mindful of it. Yeah.

[00:22:33]>> And some some some coaches kind of stiff armed it all together or some GMs stiff armed it all together. I mean, Gladstone talked about their process and I don't know if you caught that interview or not, but he did an interview and he's obviously the really interesting one to hear talk about it because they were the one that was so far off the board with consensus on the outside looking in. What? Re >> reel me in because I would love to go in on how horrible the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason has been. An absolute disgrace.

[00:23:02]>> Maybe a concept for another time.

[00:23:07]>> We have seven minutes.

[00:23:08]>> Disaster.

[00:23:10]>> We have to do the run game.

[00:23:12]>> Yeah, I know.

[00:23:13]>> Where I'm excited about this now, right?

[00:23:16]Because Glen Kubak not the most exotic of run game styles, right? Like they're they're yards per carry efficiency was really kind of bolstered by the explosives that they were able to hit last year.

[00:23:33]They're not a high efficiency run game.

[00:23:35]They're high volume run game. Those two totally different things, right?

[00:23:41]Well, you got a guy who's a high volume runner in Ashton Genty who's capable of hitting home runs. We didn't see a lot of him last year. But then they add Mike Washington Jr. who everybody thought Seattle was going to draft because Seattle lost Kenneth Walker and Kubak said no actually he's going to be the RB2 here in Las Vegas as a jackhammer freight train home run hitting 43 speed at 220 lb second pitch to put in the back field.

[00:24:13]Now this is not good for your Ashton Deni fantasy shares. Yeah, >> because I think Washington, as long as he showcases ball security, I think he's going to get some burn, but they will line up and go heavy with Bowowers and Bayer. They will put Genty or Washington in the backfield and they a lot of times will say, "Our goal is to get to third and four." And >> Oh, that's work right. They'll work to get there and that's it.

[00:24:39]>> If anybody's watched Seattle, like that's what he does.

[00:24:43]>> Yeah. And isn't it funny because like he was such a hot name for the head coaching cycle, but then I feel like nobody was really aware of that intent of how he calls games.

[00:24:57]I'm not saying it's wrong, but I feel like that's that's a style that people like to poo poo yet to elevate Kubak as this >> because the passing game stuff that's built off of that was really good. It is.

[00:25:09]>> At the same time, it's like >> like maybe maybe our >> EPA measures of first and 10 neutral down pass rate maybe maybe not all the way in that bucket, right? Like there's there's value to it 100%.

[00:25:26]>> Yeah. and and the the yield of scoring and how you throw the ball versus run the ball to score points in the NFL is it's certainly a different game than what it was 20 years ago, but like there is a little bit of that throwback element to the way that they >> philosophically operate offensively that I like um because they're not so reliant on the explosives >> because they can stay on schedule effectively.

[00:25:53]Now, that comes down to the offensive line not taking penalties and setting you back because one penalty can be really tough in that regard and avoiding the negative plays and how well they're able to do that in year one with Kirk/ Fernando Mendoza will go a long way in saying how competitive they are offensively.

[00:26:10]But I gave this um I think they have a lot of pieces to make it work between the young players on the offensive line, between the two tight ends in the tight end room, between the two backs in the back field and how good I think Ashton Genty can be in the home run hitting him in of Mike Washington. I gave this a 3.75.

[00:26:28]>> Okay, >> for the fit, >> I I like a lot of the philosophy that's in place for this to be really good. I love Genty. I I like Kubak and and kind of the approach. Um, there's a couple of things that make me nervous. First of all, it's this offensive line that has to come together. The other part is, do we have enough at receiver to draw attention away from the potential of our run game? I think everyone's going to know if you're playing the Raiders, like they're going to pound the rock. And do do they have the passcatching talent at receiver to get the looks that they're going to want to or are they just going to be crowded up and say, "Okay, well, whether it's Kirk or Fernando and these receivers, we're not afraid. Like, we'll be plus one in the box and dare you to hit throws and make us pay." So, I worry a little bit about like if this is through the lens of can they rely on this run game, I think they're going to want to.

[00:27:24]I think it's going to be more of a more muddy than anyone's going to want it to be. So, >> I I come in at a 275 on here. I think this is a tick below average.

[00:27:33]>> Hater Joe Marino.

[00:27:34]>> I know. I know. But at least I'm honest.

[00:27:36]I hope that's all anybody ever wants me to be. You know, just be honest about the way I feel.

[00:27:40]>> I was honest. You called me.

[00:27:41]>> I didn't say you weren't. No, I'm not saying that. I'm not saying that at all, but like tell you how I feel about stuff, you know? I mean, >> and I guess it sounds like my process was just a little bit more in a vacuum.

[00:27:55]How are the pieces equipped to to try to execute what they want as compared to yours was how effective will it actually be because of the other pieces of the offense?

[00:28:05]>> I think it all goes hand Yeah, it goes hand in hand. And ultimately, I want to ask can they can this be a run game that they can rely on?

[00:28:12]>> And I I don't know if I'm there yet.

[00:28:14]Well, as big of a question as that is, I think we have a bigger question on the other side of the ball where we spent handsomely.

[00:28:24]>> Yes.

[00:28:25]>> For Quay Walker and the Kobe Dean to come in and be the starting offball linebackers. We tried to trade away Max Crosby and said Eric Dcasta told us never mind. And the football god smited him for it. Did you see that? They had a trade at 14 and then the team backed out.

[00:28:40]>> No, I didn't see I did not see that. So they had a trade to move out of 14.

[00:28:43]>> Yeah, they were gonna move a little bit.

[00:28:45]>> Did they know Vega Yani was there?

[00:28:46]>> They had a couple They had a couple players that they really like.

[00:28:49]>> Oh.

[00:28:50]>> And then he was like, "Yeah, the other team like changed the offer on us and inexplicably backed out.

[00:28:56]>> Maybe you don't make that known, you know, just keep that to yourself." Um, >> so anyway, so Crosby's still here with Quiddyp Pay and uh the team drafts Trayon Stokes, who I love Trayon Stokes.

[00:29:11]Uh, they get Jeremiah McCoy in the fourth round. Kron Crawford, I'm pissed that they got him.

[00:29:17]>> What a nice pick. Yeah, >> great player. I think he's going to be a really good kind of hybrid player for him. Uh, they get Hezekiah Masses in the fifth round.

[00:29:29]There's I I liked what they did in the draft.

[00:29:33]They paid very handsomely for the offball linebacker duo. still kind of have the questions that exist on the the defensive interior, although Adam Butler's become a pretty nice player in the past few years. Uh Crosby obviously is a a massive gravitational pull as a as an NFL talent and and if he's fully healthy, he'll be able to really generate a lot of attention towards him that can make life easier on the Quiddyp Pays of the world and the Malcolm Counes of the world.

[00:30:06]I'm just really interested to see how it all comes together because there's a lot of new there's a lot of big investments all in one shot.

[00:30:13]>> Yeah, that's that's really fair. Um I think it's good that they have Crosby, man. They they kind of I think that's a that's an A-list talent that is important for this group. I think I can look at their their outside linebackers, their inside linebackers, their secondary, and say, you know what, I I I like this. Maybe there's some depth concerns. Um, but I like this. It's those three down linemen that I feel like we're just missing some stuff here.

[00:30:40]Uh, Thomas >> 2024 2025 Chargers all over again.

[00:30:44]>> Yeah, just be beef it up, man.

[00:30:46]>> Be beef up these guys up front. They're going to, you know, uh, do all that dirty work and you're probably going to want to play some games up front and unleash them, you know. Do you have the horses like Thomas Booker, Adam Butler, Jonah Loo, JJ Piggee, Tonka Hemingway? I mean, there's there's just a lot to learn here about some players that >> I mean, >> to me, are more rotating.

[00:31:11]>> It's their wide rece. It's their wide receiver room on the other side of the ball, but without the young drafted talent that's like, hey, maybe there's some upside here, >> right? So, I I just wish there was a little bit more right there, which I think is I I I just feel like that's such an important part of a defense, even though I really kind of like the rest minus we have some depth stuff that needs to come together. Well, um, the silver lining is you've got Pay as a heavy-handed defensive end, and you've got Quay Walker as a very physical pads linebacker who can plug downhill into gaps.

[00:31:44]>> Yep.

[00:31:48]>> I gave it >> I gave it a 2.75. Right. I went I was it was going I was going to say two and a half, but since we adjusted my average scale with coaching to go to three, I'm keeping it just marginally below average as a whole and and a chance for those guys. If they all click, great. Then then I'll have the egg on my face. I went 275 for the defense.

[00:32:10]>> I'm a two and a half.

[00:32:11]>> Two and a half.

[00:32:13]Okay, so we have about a minute left.

[00:32:16]Uh Joe, your score is a 17.25 for Fernando Mendoza. That ranks 22nd out of 30 situations that we have now graded.

[00:32:30]Uh the quarterbacks in this scoring range for you that went on to have winning records as starters, as rookies includes CJ Strad, 2023 went nine and six, had a 17.

[00:32:44]Kenny Picket in 2022 had a seven and five record as a starter and Trevor Lawrence in his second season 2022 went nine and eight.

[00:32:53]>> Okay.

[00:32:55]>> Uh I finished with an 18 and a half. So this is one where we got a little bit of a gap on. Um and you have historically been the more soft grader than I have.

[00:33:05]>> Ah, >> so I think this one's interesting. You averaged an 18.8 has been your average across these previous 29 situations.

[00:33:13]since I was in 1875. I'm at an 18 and a half for Mendoza.

[00:33:18]Uh that ranks 19th out of 30. So, he's a little bit higher up on my list with the extra points. And uh we can get more into the the situations and scoring and all that tomorrow because we're out of time here. But, uh 17.25 for Joe Marino, 18.5 for Kyle Krabs on the Fernando Mendoza rookie situation with the Raiders. Tomorrow we're doing Tai Simpson. So come on back, find out where that one scores.