As expected, the Las Vegas Raiders have selected Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders finished last season with a 3-14 record and are desperately in need of a quarterback. Mendoza comes in as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner after leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated 2025 season and a national championship victory.
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With 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2025, he’s far and away the best QB in this draft class. He spoke on what it was like meeting with Raiders part-owner Tom Brady.
“He has mentioned that whatever quarterback they select… he is going to pour into them and give them advice,” Mendoza said. “So I’m looking forward to that if I get selected to the Raiders.”
While the draft is taking place in Pittsburgh, Mendoza has opted to stay at home in Miami to experience the draft with his family.
He may not be there to walk across the stage but Mendoza said he’s more than ready to make an impact in the NFL.
“My goal is to be the best quarterback come September,” he said. “So day one, I’ll be comfortable under center, staying in cadence and calling a play in the huddle. … I want to try to eliminate some of those learning curves that might take a week or so for other rookie quarterbacks so I can be best fitted to the system I’m in.”
James Parker contributed to this story.
