2026 NFL Draft: Raiders Land No. 1 Pick, Fernando Mendoza Emerges as Top QB Prospect in Loaded Class
LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders have won the prize that losing teams covet most. After a brutal 3-14 season, they've secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving them the golden ticket to select whoever they want when picks start flying in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
This isn't just any draft pick. This is a chance at redemption. This is an opportunity to land a franchise quarterback for the first time since, well, let's not talk about JaMarcus Russell. Because this time feels different.
The Raiders locked up the top pick despite beating Kansas City in Week 18, winning a strength-of-schedule tiebreaker over three other 3-14 teams — the Jets, Cardinals and Titans. Sometimes losing pays off in the strangest ways.
And the player most likely to hear his name called first? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who's turned himself into the most talked-about prospect in football.
Fernando Mendoza: From Cal Transfer to No. 1 Pick
Here's what you need to know about Fernando Mendoza: he's 6-foot-5, 225 pounds of pure quarterback excellence who finished his Indiana season with a 70.8 percent completion rate. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
The kid from Miami by way of Cal transferred to Indiana and immediately turned the Hoosiers into national championship contenders. He won the Heisman Trophy, led Indiana to an undefeated regular season, and positioned himself as the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 overall.
His Rose Bowl performance against Alabama sealed the deal — Mendoza showed the poise, processing ability and pocket presence that NFL teams desperately need. We're talking about a quarterback who can stand in against pressure, deliver accurate throws downfield, and make the kind of pre-snap adjustments that usually take years to develop.
One scouting report called him "pro-ready" with the ability to process full-field reads within a system. That's scout-speak for "this guy gets it."
What makes Mendoza special isn't just his arm or his brain — it's his fearlessness. He stands firm in the pocket against zero-pressure looks and delivers strikes with defenders bearing down on him. That's the kind of toughness you can't teach, the kind of mentality that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
Sure, he's not Lamar Jackson when it comes to scrambling. He's a functional athlete but shouldn't be asked to run designed quarterback keepers. But in today's NFL, pocket passers with elite processing skills and the size to absorb hits are worth their weight in gold.
The Raiders' Dilemma: QB or Trade Down?
Now comes the fun part. What do the Raiders actually do with this pick?
The team hasn't drafted a quarterback in the first round since taking Russell first overall in 2007, and we all know how that worked out. But that ghost can't haunt them forever.
The reality is they need a quarterback. With various options currently on the roster signed through different years, this represents their best chance in nearly two decades to land their franchise signal-caller.
Or they could trade the pick and collect a haul of assets from a quarterback-desperate team. Multiple mock drafts have the Dolphins, who recently benched their longtime starter, as potential trade-up candidates. Imagine the package Las Vegas could demand — multiple first-rounders, a starting player, maybe more.
But here's the thing: when you have the No. 1 pick and there's a quarterback like Mendoza available, you take him. You just do. The position is too important, the opportunity too rare. The Raiders can't afford to get cute here.
Beyond Mendoza: The Rest of the QB Class
While Mendoza sits comfortably atop every draft board, this class has depth at the position.
Alabama's Dante Moore represents pure upside potential with more physical tools than anyone else in the class. He's raw, he's young, but the talent is undeniable. Alabama's Ty Simpson led the SEC in completions, passing yards and touchdowns this season after emerging as the starter, though his limited experience could concern some teams.
Penn State's Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury but possesses the arm strength to make any throw on the field. His stock is cloudy heading into the draft, but one team will convince themselves they can fix his inconsistencies.
The quarterback market always gets inflated come draft time. At least three quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round in eight of the past 10 years. This class should continue that trend.
The Top 10: Who's Picking Where
Here's how the top of the draft currently shapes up after Week 18:
Las Vegas Raiders (3-14) — Mendoza seems like the obvious choice, but don't rule out a blockbuster trade
New York Jets (3-14) — With four picks in the top 50, the Jets can rebuild quickly
Arizona Cardinals (3-14) — Quarterback path forward remains murky with various options on the roster
Tennessee Titans (3-14) — Major roster holes to fill across the board
New York Giants (4-13) — Back-to-back wins cost them the No. 1 pick, but they can build around their young passer
Cleveland Browns (5-12) — Always in the quarterback conversation
Washington Commanders (7-10) — Defensive help needed desperately
New Orleans Saints (8-9) — Offensive line or defensive back?
Kansas City Chiefs (8-9) — Missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era
Cincinnati Bengals (8-9) — Holding their highest pick since drafting receiver in 2021
The Chiefs showing up in the top 10 is wild. For the first time since Mahomes took over in 2018, Kansas City is watching the playoffs from home and picking in the top 10. Nobody saw that coming.
Other Top Prospects to Watch
While quarterbacks dominate the headlines, this draft has talent across the board.
Running back continues to be a premium position, with several backs expected to go in the first round. Wide receiver depth is strong. The defensive line class features several potential game-changers.
The Cowboys hold two first-round picks, giving them a chance to rebuild a defense that finished at the bottom of the league. That's the kind of draft capital that can turn franchises around quickly.
The Bottom Line: Raiders Hold All the Cards
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and between now and then, the speculation will be relentless. Every mock draft, every pro day, every rumor will be dissected and analyzed.
But here's what we know for sure: The Raiders have the No. 1 pick. Fernando Mendoza is the clear top quarterback prospect. And in the NFL, nothing matters more than finding your franchise quarterback.
The Raiders last held the top pick in 2007 and selected JaMarcus Russell, one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. That failure has haunted the franchise for nearly two decades. But dwelling on the past won't help them now.
This time, they have a legitimate, pro-ready quarterback prospect who's proven he can perform on the biggest stages. Mendoza's Rose Bowl performance showed he has the tools to provide a floor for an NFL offense even with roster deficiencies.
The Raiders can overthink this. They can get fancy and trade down. They can convince themselves another position is more important.
Or they can do what successful franchises do: take the quarterback. Take the best player available. Take the guy who can change your franchise for the next 15 years.
April 23 can't come soon enough. The Raiders are on the clock, and the entire NFL world is watching.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft will be held Thursday, April 23, with rounds 2-3 on Friday, April 24, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.