Raiders land top quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders chose Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night in Pittsburgh, according to ESPN. This reportedly marks the Raiders' first opening-round quarterback since JaMarcus Russell in 2007. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 season and their first national title.

ESPN confirmed that Raiders owner Mark Davis claimed that hiring coach Klint Kubiak opened the door for an offensive star. The team earned the top pick with a 3-14 record under Pete Carroll in 2025, who was fired after one season. Additionally, Geno Smith was traded to the New York Jets last month.

Mendoza's rise from transfer to star

A three-star high school recruit from South Florida, Mendoza started at California before transferring to Indiana in 2025, ESPN noted. Stats showed that he threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six picks. His 72% completion rate and 90.3 total QBR set school records.

"What a great organization, great legacy," Mendoza reportedly told ESPN after the pick. "There's so many teammates I'm looking forward to talking to -- coaches, owners. I'm ecstatic for the opportunity." 

Mendoza is Indiana's second No. 1 pick ever, after Corbett Davis in 1938, as reported byThe Daily Hoosier. The Raiders sent a big group, including GM John Spytek and Kubiak, to watch him at pro day.

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Family first, no draft stage

According to CBS Sports, Mendoza skipped the Pittsburgh event despite NFL pleas. League officials asked Peyton Manning to convince him, but he stayed home in Miami. His mother has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair.

"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and great venue, and I'm really excited to see all the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night," Mendoza said earlier this week, as reported by CBS Sports. "My mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It's a lot easier for us. Especially with the family situation."

"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey," he added. A camera crew captured his reaction at home. Manning confirmed the league's outreach to "maybe encourage" Mendoza "to go to the draft," per the Denver Gazette, as noted by CBS Sports.

QB battle looms in Vegas

Mendoza joins a crowded Raiders QB room with veteran Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell, ESPN says. Spytek said the best player will start, even if they prefer no rookie debut right away. "I'm just looking forward to get to work, prove it at the next level," Mendoza told ESPN.

He met the Manning family at their Passing Academy and spoke with Tom Brady on a Raiders visit, perFox News. The 30th No. 1 QB pick since 1967 eyes a quick rise. Raiders fans hope he ends their long title drought.