Wait Until You See These Numbers: Raiders' 67th Pick Is Signed: Their Number One Overall QB Still Isn't

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Raiders' 67th Pick Is Signed: Their Number One Overall QB Still Isn't

Alright, 12s, you gotta hear this. The NFL machine keeps grinding, even on Father's Day, and some wild news is popping out of Vegas. The Raiders, our division rival down south, just announced they locked down their third-round defensive end, Keyron Crawford, with a sweet four-year rookie deal. That's good business, right? You get your draft picks in, get them working. Except, hold up. The bigger story here? Their first overall pick in the entire 2026 draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, is still out there without a contract. Seriously, what is going on?

Keyron Crawford Is Ready to Roll for Vegas

Let's talk about Crawford for a sec, because he's a solid addition for any team. He was the 67th player called in the 2026 draft, a legit talent from Auburn, originally making a name for himself at Arkansas State. The guy was a workhorse for Auburn in 2025, starting all 12 games. We're talking about a stat line that jumps off the page: a stout 36 tackles, a disruptive 9.5 tackles for loss, and a very respectable 5.0 sacks. On top of that, he forced a fumble, recovered another, and even snagged an interception. That's the kind of production you want from a third-rounder, and getting him signed feels like a win for them. He's officially part of the team, ready to contribute on that defensive line.

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The Number One Overall Pick Is Still Nowhere To Be Found

But here's the kicker, the part that's making everyone raise an eyebrow. With Crawford's ink dry, the Raiders now have eight of their ten draft picks under contract. Good for them, getting the bulk of their class ready to roll. However, two crucial pieces are still missing from that puzzle. The biggest one, by far, is quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was the first overall pick in this year's draft. Think about that for a second. The top dog, the face of their future, isn't in the building. And he's not alone either, with fourth-round cornerback Jermod McCoy also unsigned. It's June, people. Getting your top picks integrated and learning the playbook is absolutely vital, especially for a quarterback who is supposed to be the future of your franchise. This isn't just a small snag, it's a huge question mark hanging over their offseason.

So while the Raiders might be celebrating getting Keyron Crawford signed, the real chatter in the league is all about Mendoza. You just can't ignore it. For a division rival, it's... intriguing, to say the least. It's still early in the NFL calendar, but how this plays out with their number one pick is going to be a huge storyline to watch. You know we'll be keeping an eye on it from the Emerald City, wondering what it means for the NFC West.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.

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