Fernando Mendoza's sidekick could be a first-round pick

Fernando Mendoza's sidekick could be a first-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For months, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been written in Sharpie as the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders won the sweepstakes, winning not only the right to take their franchise quarterback but the extra time to spend on the rest of the draft, too.

In a league driven by parity, it's soft factors like those that make the first pick in an easy class all the more important.

Mendoza isn't the most promising passer to hear his name called first in recent memory. He's not the biggest, or the strongest, or the fastest. But after his tantalizingly efficient season, a successful Heisman campaign, and a championship to his name, Mendoza is a well-deserving inaugural selection.

The only question for the Hoosier faithful is how many of his teammates will join him in Round 1.

Is Omar Cooper Jr. a first-round pick?

Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was a late entry into the early-round conversation. He didn't start the year as the top receiver on Indiana's depth chart, nor did he have the freakish athleticism or measurables to put him on the map before the draft cycle began.

Cooper seemingly arrived out of nowhere, catapulting up boards with one of the craziest catches of the season.

Almost immediately, evaluators flocked to Cooper's film and came away impressed. He was an early Day 3 pick, then a Day 2 prospect, and, before long, in the first round of mock drafts. But should it stick?

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The good news for Cooper is that he checks plenty of boxes, mitigating the risk of his hype being the result of an over-weighted piece of evidence. Cooper is well-liked by the film community, citing toughness over the middle and an ability to impact every level of the field. His usage suggests he can play both inside and out, his YAC was among the best in the country, and his platform season ended with 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.