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The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This decision marks a significant step for the team in their search for a young quarterback.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - APRIL 01: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers speaks to the media during the 2026 IU Pro Day at John Mellencamp Pavilion on April 01, 2026 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Letās look at what it means:
The timing was right:
The Raiders have badly looking for a young quarterback to groom for the past four years. The timing was never right. Yet, this year, the stars aligned as the Raiders earned the No.1 overall pick and Mendoza is the only quarterback worthy of being a top pick. The Jets, who also went 3-14, are out of the mix and had to trade for Geno Smith, who was the Raidersā veteran waste of time last year. If the Raiders had the No. 2 pick, they probably would have signed Kyler Murray and still be in no manās land. Now, finally, there is an answer and itās Mendoza.
Itās now or never with Kubiak and Mendoza:
We all know the Raidersā history for most of this decade. Itās been awful, but there is actual hope now with new head coach Klint Kubiak and Mendoza. Kubiak was a highly-regarded Super-Bowl winning offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks last season while Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to their first national title. They have a chance to grew into an elite coach-quarterback combination for the next decade plus. Yet, if Kubiak canā[t make the transition from excellent coordinator to effective head coach and if the NFL game is too big for Mendoza, this will be a major step backward for the organization. This has to work.
Three skill-position first rounders in a row:
The Raidersā 2024-26 first-round draft pick could go down in NFL history if it all works . In 2024, the Raiders drafted tight end and No. 13 and running back . Now, itās Mendoza. This trio has a chance to be the foundation of an excellent offense in for years to come.
The Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza because they have been seeking a young quarterback for four years, and Mendoza was the only quarterback deemed worthy of the top pick.
Mendoza's selection signifies the Raiders' commitment to finally addressing their quarterback situation and developing a long-term solution at the position.
The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick by finishing with a poor record of 3-14, which positioned them ahead of other teams like the Jets.
The only other notable quarterback option was Kyler Murray, but the Raiders would have likely missed out on Mendoza if they had the No. 2 pick.
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Heās been part of winning program before:
Mendoza proved he can be a winner in 2025 as he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record. The program suffered for years and he helped a fast turnaround. He will be coming to the NFL with the confidence, knowing he can do it again.
Letās not worry about when he plays yet:
The big question in the next several months will be if Mendoza can begin the season as the starter or if veteran Kirk Cousins will open the season. Both Kubiak and Raidersā general manager John Spytek have said they would like a rookie quarterback to sit and learn to start the season. Look, Mendoza will play at some point in 2026 and it could very well be Week 1. The reality is, he was drafted to play for a decade not necessarily in September, 2026. So, in the big picture, this narrative doesnāt matter much.
Oakland Raiders
Another chapter in teamās long Latin history:
The Raidersā have a rich history in the Latin community. Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores an quarterback Jim Plunkett became the first Hispanic coach and quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks was of Hispanic descent. The team has a passionate and strong Latin fan base and now, Mendoza, of Cuban descent, will be donning the Silver and Black. Perfect.
No sure thing:
While there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Mendoza, heās not a canāt-miss prospect. But thatās OK few quarterback prospects are. He has a chance to be really good. Letās see what happens and not make the expectations too high.
This has nothing to do with 2007:
Weāve heard the name of JaMarcus Russell a lot because he was the last player the Raiders took with the No. 1 pick, 19 years ago. Of course, he was an all-time draft bust. Raidersā owner Mark Davis recently brought it up that the Raiders were in this position before and it didnāt work. But the reality is, it doesnāt matter. Russellās history is his history and Mendozaās future is his future. The two are not connected at all.
Enjoy the person:
Mendoza is known for being a nice, quirky personality who is always smiling. He seems like the perfect face of the franchise. Embrace it.