NFL Draft 2026: Las Vegas Raiders select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with first pick

Fernando Mendoza's rise from overlooked two‑star recruit to the top of the NFL draft became official Thursday night when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the No 1 pick.

The Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to its first national championship, now faces the challenge of helping turn around a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in 24 years.

The 22‑year‑old quarterback chose to stay home in Miami with family rather than attend the draft in Pittsburgh. He smiled broadly when Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name, put on a Raiders cap, and embraced relatives, saving the longest hug for his mother.

He'll travel to Las Vegas on Friday to begin a professional career that once seemed unlikely, given the limited college interest he received out of high school.

"The last five months have been such a blessing," Mendoza said. "I'm looking forward to getting to work and proving myself at the next level."

Mendoza wasn't considered a major prospect a year ago, but he delivered a breakout season at Indiana, completing 72 per cent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Despite lingering doubts in a quarterback‑thin draft class, he enters the league determined to silence critics once again.

The first surprise of the night came at No 13, when the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who had started only 15 college games. Simpson, one of 16 prospects who attended the draft, said he felt fully prepared for the NFL thanks to Alabama's system and coaching.

The draft drama began early at No 2, where the New York Jets chose Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio State's Arvell Reese. Arizona followed by selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, the highest running back drafted since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Tennessee then took Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No 4, giving quarterback Cam Ward a new top target.

The Giants selected Reese at No 5, adding a potential elite pass rusher days after trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Kansas City traded up to No 6 to draft LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, while Washington bolstered its struggling defense by taking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No 7.

New Orleans added Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson at No 8, and Cleveland selected Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano at No 9. The Giants continued to build their line by drafting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa at No 10.

Dallas moved up to No 11 to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and Miami used the next pick on Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor. Baltimore selected Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No 14, and Tampa Bay added Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr at No 15, a player many viewed as a top‑10 talent.

The Jets added Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No 16. Detroit traded up to No 17 for Clemson tackle Blake Miller, while Minnesota used the next pick on Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Carolina selected Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling at No 19, and Philadelphia moved up to No 20 to take USC receiver Makai Lemon.

Pittsburgh fans were disappointed when the Steelers selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor at No 21, marking the third time in four years the team has drafted an offensive tackle in the first round. Miami's Akheem Mesidor went to the Chargers at No 22, and Central Florida's Malachi Lawrence went to Dallas at No 23.

Cleveland added Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion at No 24, Chicago selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No 25, and Houston drafted Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge at No 26. Miami followed with San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No 27.

New England traded up to No 28 to select Utah tackle Caleb Lomu. Before the draft, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters, saying he was taking accountability for actions that created a distraction for the organisation, though he did not address specifics. He will miss day three of the draft to begin counselling.

Kansas City selected Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No 29. The Jets acquired San Francisco's No 30 pick and used it on Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr, drawing loud cheers from fans. Tennessee traded back into the first round to take Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31.

The defending champion Seahawks closed the night by selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, who is expected to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker after Walker signed with Kansas City.

Mendoza enters the league as the fourth straight quarterback taken No 1 overall, following Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, and Bryce Young.

None of the last 10 quarterbacks drafted first have won a Super Bowl, though Jared Goff and Joe Burrow each reached one. Still, recent classes have produced early success: four of the six quarterbacks drafted in the top 12 in 2024 have already won playoff games, and Drake Maye was the 2025 MVP runner‑up.

With teams given eight minutes per pick instead of 10, the first round wrapped up in under three and a half hours.

"What's good for Mendoza is that he's going to get time to develop.

"So often we see young quarterbacks thrown into the lion's den. The Raiders don't have a great offensive line in front of him - they won't protect him brilliantly - but he's tough as nails and he's accurate.

"He's a winner. He led Indiana to the national championship, which was hugely unexpected this past season.

"He's got everything you want. He's been compared to Matt Ryan, who had a 15‑year career, was an All‑Star, and was the NFL Most Valuable Player with the Atlanta Falcons.

"The important thing, I think, is that Mendoza will sit behind Kirk Cousins, who is not only a very good quarterback but also an amazing person. He's going to be a wonderful mentor to Mendoza."

"Sam Darnold is the latest incarnation of it, in that you can you can damage a young quarterback when he plays too soon. And it's interesting to mention Tom Brady, because when (Mendoza) talks about preparation and he talks about how hard he works at the game and how much he loves football and he's a junkie, he's a film junkie and all of that, you hear Tom Brady.

"But when you listen to him talk and you watch his mannerisms, I think Kirk Cousins, that's the light comparison I got there. They are very very competitive guys. And I think Kirk will do a great job.

"Kirk is a team-first guy and he's a guy that wants to mentor this young kid."