2026 NFL Draft Recap: Fernando Mendoza Goes No. 1 as Raiders Gamble on Indiana's Star QB
The Raiders Pull the Trigger on Mendoza
The 2026 NFL Draft opened with the selection everyone expected, and yet the moment still carried electricity. Las Vegas selected Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana with the first overall pick, betting their franchise future on a quarterback who rewrote the Hoosiers record books over three seasons. Mendoza, a 6-foot-4 pocket passer with rare processing speed and a quick release, posted a 71.2 completion percentage in his final college season while throwing for 38 touchdowns against just four interceptions. For a Raiders organization that has cycled through starting quarterbacks at an alarming rate, the pick felt less like a gamble and more like a necessary reset.
Mendoza’s path to the top of the board was not without debate. Some evaluators preferred his arm strength at intermediate distances over his deep ball, and questions lingered about his ability to extend plays when the pocket collapses. But the Raiders’ new offensive staff was reportedly sold after Mendoza’s private workouts, where he diagnosed coverages faster than any quarterback they had evaluated.
Picks Two Through Five Define the Class
The Jets landed EDGE rusher David Bailey from Texas Tech at No. 2. Bailey was widely considered the best non-quarterback in the draft – a 6-foot-5 pass rusher who recorded 17.5 sacks in his senior year. Arizona selected running back Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame at No. 3, and doubled down in the second round by adding quarterback Carson Beck. Tennessee followed at No. 4 with Carnell Tate, and the Giants selected Arvell Reese at No. 5.
Mid-Round Value and Day Three Gems
Sonny Styles went to the Commanders at No. 7. Caleb Downs landing with the Cowboys at No. 11 was considered a steal by multiple draft analysts – the safety had first-round grades across the board. Drew Allar to the Steelers in the second round gave Pittsburgh a natural fit for their scheme. The depth of this class at quarterback – Mendoza, Beck, and Allar all going in the first two rounds – suggests the league is about to get younger under center across several franchises simultaneously.
