It’s Week 15 and the Las Vegas Raiders have a game against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. However, Raider Nation is, rightfully, already locked in on the offseason rather than this pathetic 2-11 team. So, we’ll continue focusing on the 2026 NFL draft and free agency for this week’s mailbag.
Q: Should the Raiders draft a quarterback with their top pick and then again in the fifth- or sixth-round? Someone like Diego Pavia? Similar to RG3 and Kirk Cousins, just food for thought.
A: I wouldn’t mind that strategy and like where your head is at, playing the lottery with two tickets instead of just one. But the Raiders already have that young, wildcard quarterback option in Cam Miller. He was one of their sixth-round picks last year, so it’d probably make more sense to just address another position. Granted, there is no guarantee that Miller will still be on the roster next season, giving your idea more weight.
And for the record, Pavia isn’t an NFL quarterback. He’s a lot of fun to watch in the college game, but the backyard football style of play that makes him so great just doesn’t work at the next level. I’m interested to see if he’ll give another position a shot at the Senior Bowl. Pavia could be an interesting offensive gadget player.
A: I’m starting to sour on Ty Simpson after that abysmal showing in the SEC Championship last week, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he stays at Alabama to get more experience. That adds to the “Mendoza or bust” argument, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s the top quarterback in this class after last weekend. But I do like Dante Moore as a solid second option.
Moore is dynamic, has a decent arm, smart with the ball and has made a handful of clutch throws this season where I’d be excited if he lands in Las Vegas, if the Raiders can’t get Mendoza. Then again, Moore could also go back to Oregon, and that would make the quarterback class thin.
After that, some guys have intriguing traits like LaNorris Sellers, Brendan Sorsby and Cade Klubnik, to name a few, but they’re definitely bigger projects. There is no such thing as a safe bet when it comes to the draft, especially at quarterback, but Mendoza and Moore are definitely the Raiders’ best options in that regard.
Q: Is there any generational talent in this year’s draft that makes you put drafting a quarterback on hold?
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 15: Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) gets around NC State offensive lineman Spike Sowells Jr. (72) while pursuing the ball carrier in the first quarter as the Miami Hurricanes faced the NC State Wolfpack on November 15, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A: That’s part of the issue with the top of this year’s draft class; there aren’t a ton of ‘generational talents’ or ‘can’t miss’ prospects. The three guys who come to mind that I’d consider are Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., and a couple of Ohio State guys in safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese. But I wouldn’t put them in the “generational” category.
To me, that adds a significant amount of weight to the argument that the Raiders should take Mendoza if they end up with the No. 1 overall pick.
Q: Do you think John Spytek would insist on Pete Carroll shutting down Maxx Crosby and Kolton Miller?
A: I understand where this question comes from and can agree that it’d be better long-term to sit Crosby and Miller, but I don’t think it’s realistic. If Carroll is on the hot seat, he’s not going to put two of the team’s best players on the shelf.
Also, football players like playing football, especially passionate ones like Crosby and Miller, and they only get 17 opportunities a year to do what they love. It’s not like the NBA or MLB, where teams play 82 or 162 games, so sitting out the final quarter of the campaign in those sports isn’t as big a deal.
On top of that, a lot of players have bonuses in their contracts that are based on games played, reaching certain statistical thresholds or making the Pro Bowl. That can also impact their negotiations when it comes to future contracts, so you risk ruining a relationship with a player by pulling them off the field if they aren’t on-board with that. A general manager doesn’t want to get that reputation because not only does it decrease a player’s desire to re-sign with the club, but free agents around the league will take notice, too.
Q: Do the Raiders leverage Crosby as draft capital?
A: I’m sure this will be one of the biggest arguments of the offseason, but I would seriously consider trading Crosby.
I know I’ve mentioned this a bunch of times already, but I’m going to continue to say it; the Raiders are looking at, at least, a two-year rebuild. Maxx turns 29 in August and might only have a few prime years left. So by the time the organization turns it around, he’s going to be entering his age-31 season. Meanwhile, if Las Vegas can get two first-round picks or say a first and a second, that could give the club a couple of building blocks for the future.
Crosby is an awesome player and will go down as a great Raider no matter what, but it’s time to let him go and chase a ring, in my opinion.
All of that being said, I don’t think it will happen because Mark Davis likes him too much. So, this might just be a moot point, LOL!
Q: Will Kenny Pickett become QB1 rest of the season?
A: I get the feeling that Carroll is too loyal to Geno Smith for that to happen. There have been plenty of reasons and opportunities to bench Geno this season, so I don’t see why it would happen now. But if Pickett plays well and the Raiders upset the Eagles, Pete’s hands might be tied. If that happens and Smith goes on injured reserve to try and save face, don’t buy the ensuing “his injury is worse than we originally thought” messaging.
Q: I feel Pete oversold the talent on the team when he first got here to the fan base, and not playing the younger players sooner, such as Caleb Rogers, should put him out to pasture. What do you say?
A: I definitely agree with you here. To me, Carroll was overconfident in his ability to coach up the defense, and the stubbornness to play the younger players was what pushed me over the edge in the argument to move on from him.
To be fair, I’ll put my hand up and acknowledge that, heading into the season, I played a part in thinking this offense had more talent than it did. I thought Geno would be much better, the offensive line would take a step forward instead of regressing, and a guy like Jack Bech would have a bigger role out of the gate.
I’m sorry y’all, I screwed that one up, to say the least! I should know by now to expect the worst when it comes to the Raiders. That way you don’t get as disappointed, LOL!
Q: I think Raider Nation is preparing for another coaching change. How intriguing is the head coach job to potential top candidates? Top choices off the top of your head? I’m begging for a young, up-and-coming HC, and please avoid another retread.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Chris Shula of the Los Angeles Rams on the sideline during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) Getty Images
A: It’s going to depend on where the Raiders land in the draft order, because either having a young quarterback or a pathway to get one will significantly impact how attractive the job opening is. That’s another reason why getting the No. 1 overall pick is important.
I’m with you on going after a young, up-and-comer. If Carroll gets fired, I’ll put together a full article on my top candidates. But I will throw one scenario out there that Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers pitched on PFF’s NFL Stock Exchange in their ‘Fix the Raiders’ episode a few weeks back. Hire Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula as head coach, who brings Mike LaFleur with him to be the offensive coordinator.
Shula is young, turns 40 in February, and is expected to be a hot name this offseason with how well the Rams defense has played under his guidance over the last two years. Meanwhile, LaFleur brings over the Shanahan-McVay style offense that has been sweeping around the league over the last few years and has proven to be successful.
Granted, LaFleur is the Rams’ current OC, but he’d get a chance to call plays with the Raiders since Sean McVay currently does that in Los Angeles. Another guy in the NFL made that transition a few years ago and has had a lot of success since then: current Green Bay Packers head coach and Mike’s brother, Matt LaFleur. The biggest downside is that if Mike does well, then the Raiders are going to have to find a new OC in a few years.
Q: Matt, I’m guessing this will be one of the more bizarre questions you’ve ever received, but I’m going to ask it anyway. I had a dream last night, John Spytek fired Pete Carol right after the season ended. He then proceeded to elevate Patrick Graham to HC (I know it can’t happen like that), and then Graham and Spytek mutually agreed to bring back Chip Kelly with the understanding that he would be running his offense, not Carroll’s. So all kidding aside, what are the chances Patrick Graham is our next HC? And is there any logic to giving Kelly a second chance, and would he even accept that?
A: LOL! This definitely is up there as one of the more bizarre questions, but I like it and appreciate the creativity. Plus, you’re making me feel like a smart pyschologist, analyzing your dreams!
I’ve learned to never say never when it comes to what the Raiders will do, but I think the likelihood of Graham becoming the head coach and Kelly returning is at least never-adjacent. I’m honestly surprised that Graham has been around for this long, considering all of the coaching staff changes since he was hired. Also, if Mark Davis is going to fire Carroll, Davis will likely clean house with the coaching staff to wash the stench out of this season as much as possible.
As for Kelly, I feel pretty safe in saying his tenure in the NFL is over.
A: I can agree that Ashton Jeanty needs to be more consistent with his vision, and that will be his biggest area of improvement heading into year two. But the offensive line is the biggest factor in the stats you mention. Per Pro Football Focus, Jeanty is averaging 0.5 yards before contact, so he doesn’t get many opportunities to get past the line.
It’s a lot more difficult for a running back to make defenders miss in the backfield than it is past the line of scrimmage because they can’t build up any momentum and don’t have as much space, yet Jeanty still ranks eighth at the position with 42 missed tackles forced as a rusher this season, per PFF.
What gives me the most hope about his future is that when the Raiders get him the ball in the passing game, where he has more space to operate, he’s been shifty and makes defenders miss. Jeanty has 20 MTFs as a receiver, and that’s tied with Bijan Robinson for the second most among running backs and is just one behind Christian McCaffrey, who leads the position. Even better, Robinson has 19 more catches and McCaffery has 40 more.
Las Vegas’ offensive line has been so bad this season that I really don’t think you can get an accurate assessment of the organization’s first-round pick. If you want to argue that the Raiders should have prioritized the line over getting a running back at No. 6 overall, I can agree with you. But that’s a different argument, and I wouldn’t make any declarative statements about Jeanty based on this season.
Q: Would you explain the “dead” cap money from the “available” money and how it directly affects the team going forward?
A: Dead cap space is just money/cap space that is allocated to players who are no longer on the roster. It stems from signing bonuses or guaranteed money that are included in the player’s contract and spread out over the length of the deal.
So, dead money impacts the salary cap the same way money allocated to players who are on the team does; it’s just an inefficient use of cap space since the players who account for dead money aren’t on the roster. It’s kind of like a pound of muscle versus a pound of fat. Both weigh the same, but one is healthier and much better for you.
Ideally, a team has no dead cap at all because that’s the most efficient use of cap space since every dollar spent is on players who are on the roster. But sometimes, it can make more sense to take on the dead cap hit than keep someone on the team. To explain, I’ll use a random player who is currently on the roster.
If the Raiders want to move on from say Geno Smith this offseason (remember, this is a completely random exercise), they would take on $18.5 million of dead cap space and save $8 million, per Over The Cap. But if they keep him, that $8 million stays on the books. So, would you rather have Smith on the roster and be a $26.5 million cap hit, or cut him and he’s an $18.5 million cap hit?
That’ll do it for this week’s mailbag. Thank you all for submitting questions and, as your weekly reminder, if you’d like to have your questions answered in a future column, tweet them at me, @MHolder95, email them to SBPQuestions1@gmail.com or look for our weekly call for questions on the site. The latter will continue to publish on Thursdays.