Raiders Set to Pick Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 Overall Sport By lines April 21, 2026 Fernando Mendoza heads into the 2026 NFL Draft as the consensus No. 1 pick. The Las Vegas Raiders own the first selection on Thursday night. Raiders general manager John Spytek has ruled out trading the pick. Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and the national title. Why Mendoza Projects as the 2026 NFL Draft’s Top Pick Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy at Indiana. Mendoza stands 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds. Mendoza posted a 7.1 percent off-target throw rate in 2025, third-lowest in the FBS. Mendoza completed 54 percent of passes on throws of 20-plus yards downfield. Mendoza ranked first in FBS expected points added per dropback at plus-0.52 in 2025. Mendoza ranked second in EPA per dropback on third and fourth downs at plus-0.58. Mendoza ranked fourth in EPA per dropback when tied or trailing in the fourth quarter. Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will carry the broadcast. Mendoza will watch from Miami with family rather than attend in person. Kirk Cousins remains on the Raiders roster as the veteran option at quarterback. Related Sports Coverage Chiefs Eye Trade-Up From No. 9 for Draft Pass Rusher Zachariah Branch Arrested Days Before NFL Draft Aubrey, Cowboys Agree on $28M Record Kicker Deal Source: ESPN.
