Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Fernando Mendoza taken No. 1 overall

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 13: 2025 Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers poses with The Heisman Memorial Trophy during a news conference at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 NFL draft is finally underway as the first round kicked off on Thursday evening with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. But we have two more days, six more rounds and nine (barring trades) more Raiders draft picks to keep tabs on throughout the weekend. Below is a recap of the Raiders’ picks so far, and updates will come as the picks are announced.

The second round will begin Friday at 4:00 p.m. PST and will air on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Day 3 or rounds four through seven will be on Saturday, starting at 9:00 a.m. PST, and will also air on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.

Raiders 2026 NFL Draft Picks:

• Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

No surprises here as Mendoza has been heavily linked to Las Vegas since the organization secured the No. 1 overall pick, and he won the National Championship in January. This should end the franchise’s four-year search for a successor to Derek Carr, as the Heisman Trophy winner will be the face of the Raiders’ rebuild. Mendoza is expected to compete with Kirk Cousins for the Week 1 starting quarterback job and should take over that role at some point this season if he doesn’t win the position battle during training camp.