It is a good time to be a fan of the Las Vegas Raiders.The selection of Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it now truly feels like a new era for the team.As expected, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pickGettyIt was the NFL’s worst kept secret after all, from the first mock draft to the last, the Raiders had always been tipped to select the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback.There is a buzz around the organization that has not been felt in a long time, and that stretches from the fans to the front office, and most importantly, the players.One of those who have expressed their excitement that the 22-year-old is joining the franchise is Maxx Crosby.“I know everybody’s fired up that he’s part of our team now,” Crosby said on his ‘The Rush’ podcast.“I had the chance to have a great conversation with him when he came on his visit.“I got to chop it up with him a little bit, and then on draft night, got on FaceTime and talked to him, and we have been texting back and forth ever since.“I’m really fired up for him, excited to take him under my wing and help him out, show him the way and just encourage him to be himself and lead his own way.“So fired up for him and his family, I know it was a big moment.”Crosby appears to be ready to mentor the 2025-26 Heisman Winner, but at one point, he may not have had the chance to do so.Early in the offseason, it appeared he was heading to the Baltimore Ravens as a part of a huge package.Crosby is thrilled to have Mendoza on the Raiders, and can’t wait to serve as a mentor to himGettyCrosby’s vetoed Ravens trade has given him the opportunity to take Mendoza under his wingGettyBut Baltimore vetoed the trade over his physical, and Crosby has since embraced the fact that he will be donning a Raiders uniform in 2026.There has been a suggestion that Crosby could still be a trade talk, even on reduced terms – but his commitment to the Silver and Black appears unwavering, not least his plan to mentor Mendoza.The direction of Vegas’s offseason changed after this, and the Raiders have spent smartly in preparation for Mendoza’s arrival.Headlined by the addition of Tyler Linderbaum, making him the highest-paid centre in NFL history with a whopping $20m per-season contract. The roster does still need some improvements, but the separate addition of Kirk Cousins has laid down the foundation for Mendoza to succeed.Cousins brings 14-years of NFL experience into a quarterback room that will feel rejuvenated by Mendoza’s arrival.Kirk Cousins is expected to serve as a bridge/ mentor to Fernando MendozaGettyNew head coach Klint Kubiak, and general manager John Spytek made it clear they were not comfortable with throwing a rookie straight into the mix.Cousins is expected to start the season under centre, but Mendoza could force the Raiders’ hand if he wows in training camp and pre-season.Mendoza will have plenty to prove, but there is nobody on his team who wants to see him succeed more than Crosby does.The next step for Mendoza will be Rookie Minicamp from May 1-3, with a series of offseason workout dates also on the agenda before Mandatory Minicamp in early June.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channelfor all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.