Raiders' Mendoza Threatens Broncos' AFC West Reign

0:00On April 24th, the Denver Broncos owned the AFC West last season with a 14-3 record, ripping off 11 straight wins before Bo-Nix is broken. Ankle derailed their playoff run against the Buffalo Bills. They swept the Las Vegas Raiders both years, basically treating them like easy pickings from a team stuck in chaos. Fast forward today, one of the 20-26 NFL draft, and the Raiders snatched Fernando Mendoza first overall, dropping a clear warning shot right. At Denver's doorstep, the Broncos pulled a similar move, a couple drafts back, grabbing Nick's 12th overall as the 6th quarterback off the board in round 1. But this class is thinner at the position, and Mendoza stands out as a pure pocket passer with sharp processing and some mobility. I think Joe Burrow, or... Jaregaugh Fives. Raiders are stacking the deck too, signing Kirk Cousins for a bridge year, bolstering their defense and free agency, and pairing Mendoza with studs. Like Brock Bowers and Ashton Johnty, to ease him in.

1:01Denver's lead to head by nailing Nick's and other picks, but if the Raiders finally stabilize at quarterback, that divisional gap could shrink. Fast Broncos better stay locked in to keep the edge.