The Tankathon thread,i.e., the 2026 Draft

[KillerRaider30]

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl

[Cruisin with Tooz]

Really too bad packers couldn't beat the broncos we were making up some sos ground on giants and jets

The remaining schedule looks very favorable for us to pass the Jets. We should finish with that tiebreaker in the end. The next 2 weeks also look very favorable to pull even with the Giants. That sos race probably will come down to the last week. That one could go either way. The race with Ten is the most important one and we had a very good week. That race is all but clinched. We have 7 ways to clinch it next week. GB and Min win, GB and NO win, GB and Arz win, Min and NO win, Min and Arz win, NO and Arz win, or a single win by Jax all wrap it up, provided that we and Ten also lose out. GB, Min and NO will probably be favorites and Jax and Arz will both be competitive games. If it doesnt happen next week, we still have 2 more weeks after that.

[mranquales]

One step closer to getting our franchise to the next level.

[HesterLayes]

Just as long as we get Mendoza or Moore(surely he comes out) then I’m fine..may not have they hype of a Luck or Lawrence etc,but those two never/yet to win a chip,so who knows.

[Viper]

Shadeur Sanders clowned us. Minshew shouldn't have much trouble. Unlike us, KC actually has dignity. They'll do everything they can to win.

And unlike us, no matter who they trot out at Qb, they expect to win.
Unlike us, they know how to win.

[Viper]

Lots of scenarios being discussed but we could make it really simple by losing the remaining games we have, thus securing our position of getting at least one of the top QBs. I’m not a fan of losing, but if it means 3 more losses to have a chance at a real Qb, I’m in.

[WolfRaider]

Just as long as we get Mendoza or Moore(surely he comes out) then I’m fine..may not have they hype of a Luck or Lawrence etc,but those two never/yet to win a chip,so who knows.

I will be heartbroken if it’s not Mendoza. Moore gives me Mac Jones vibes. Mendoza… he ticks so many boxes, tall, tough, smart, mobile, decent arm and makes big plays when needed. He reminds me of Brady when he talks about the game. He’s a complete nerd for the sport. Exactly what we need!

[Raidernation1979]

Brady on Mendoza

[Spurs Raider]

I will be heartbroken if it’s not Mendoza. Moore gives me Mac Jones vibes. Mendoza… he ticks so many boxes, tall, tough, smart, mobile, decent arm and makes big plays when needed. He reminds me of Brady when he talks about the game. He’s a complete nerd for the sport. Exactly what we need!

It's also the intangibles such as his leadership, ability to stand up and be counted making plays under pressure or in big game moments and perhaps above all else his infectious attitude and work ethic.

Being a Tottenham fan simultaneously (yes I know, a glutton for punishment eh?!) I've seen these qualities in Harry Kane who was by no means a standout academy prospect coming through nor shined particularly out on loan but his drive and sheer will to win and be the very best footballer he could possibly be was the bedrock of his success.

That to me is qualities I see in Mendoza and that's why he should be unequivocally our 1st round pick and the cornerstone of the franchise moving forwards.

[RunOverByHubbard]

Even if we are #2 position, someone could trade up to be #1 who needs a QB as much as we do so keep a realistic view here. And of course we could win a game and drop down and get no QB. But losing out will really help us get a player we need especially on defense if a QB is gone.i realize our offense is worse than our defense but I think this draft has more elite defenders at the top than offensive players.

[Reno Hightower]

The question that needs to be asked is if Fernando Mendoza would want to even play for the Raiders?

[DeathStar24]

It's hilarious to me there are people who think this team has another win in them.

[Trainnvain]

Youre the 2nd poster who has done this. If I have specifically qualified my post to exclude the current version of the Raiders, why do you use the current version of the Raiders to try to rebut what I wrote? In a normal power structure, the HC is a subordinate of the GM and the GM has hire/fire power over him.

And when youre 2-11 the priorities change. The priority is no longer "this year". Its "next year". So the priority changes from winning (early in the season when there is hope) to evaluating the roster and allowing backups to gain experience (late in the lost season). As the head of the management, its the duty of the GM to set the organization's priorities. Hopefully the HC recognizes this and complies with the GM's directive. But in a normal and desirable organizational power structure you dont want a weak GM that the HC puts on the pay no mind list. The GM is the rudder that steers the ship.

Early in the year when winning is the priority, sure the GM isnt going to be telling the HC who to play, because winning that upcoming game is the HC's province. But when the season is lost winning becomes secondary to preparing for the future. It becomes all about the upcoming draft and free agency. And that is not the HC's province. That is the GM's province. So late in a lost season the GM has to be mandating who is playing, because he cant prepare for the draft and FA without that information.

I was responding to a previous post of yours where you said that in a normal power structure the gm tells the coach what to do in terms of playing time and the coach obeys( I am paraphrasing here).I contend that in a healthy gm/coach relationship that is rarely, if ever, the case.

[RunOverByHubbard]

It's hilarious to me there are people who think this team has another win in them.

Do not underestimate how f’ed up this franchise is

[Corleone]

No action is needed at this time (because Houston will have their way with us), but do we expect Tom Brady to finally get off his hands and do something before the week 17 and 18 showdown (vs a two win NYG, and a Mahomes-less KC)?

I realize the odds are strong we lose out, but we need to damn well ensure we do because the chance to fortify the QB position is an opportunity we've rarely had in the draft, and Mendoza is good enough to tank for.

We can not go 16 weeks with this shit product, only to f[raiders_icon]ck it up in week 17, would be a crime against humanity, it would be Mark's greatest f[raiders_icon]ck up ever if allowed to happen.

[RickRyb]

Shadeur Sanders clowned us. Minshew shouldn't have much trouble. Unlike us, KC actually has dignity. They'll do everything they can to win.

I get so confused here. I take it by this post you want The Raiders to show dignity and win their remaining three games. Is this correct?