Sports
Eagles stop draft Makai Lemon: Fantasy outlook for Eagles offense, A.J. Brown's future and more
Eagles draft USC's Makai Lemon, signaling A.J. Brown's potential trade.
CBS Sports Headlines1 min read
Sports
Fernando Mendoza is a Raider, what does it all mean?
TL;DR
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.
Key points
- Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick
- Mendoza is the only quarterback considered worthy of the top pick
- Raiders have sought a young quarterback for four years
- Raiders finished with a 3-14 record to secure the top pick
- The Jets traded for Geno Smith, eliminating them from the quarterback race
Geno SmithKyler MurrayLas Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza
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.
Q&A
Why did the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza as their quarterback?
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.
What does Fernando Mendoza's selection mean for the Raiders' future?
Mendoza's selection signifies the Raiders' commitment to finally addressing their quarterback situation and developing a long-term solution at the position.
How did the Raiders secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft?
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.
Who were the other quarterback options for the Raiders in the draft?
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.
