Thought exercise: Browns tried to trade up for Cam Ward in 2025, should they try to get Fernando Mendoza this year?

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At this time last year, the Tennessee Titans were hosting QB Cam Ward with rumors getting stronger that he would be their selection with the first overall pick . At the same time, the Cleveland Browns were sitting with the second overall pick with a load of reports that they wanted to select Ward if the Titans passed on him .

It would later come out that the Browns tried to trade up to the top pick to select Ward, but Tennessee was unwilling to move. Instead, GM Andrew Berry traded down three spots, added DT Mason Graham , RB Quinshon Judkins , and an extra pick in the 2026 NFL draft . One year later, the Las Vegas Raiders have seemed locked into selecting QB Fernando Mendoza since their season ended with them having the first overall pick.

Unlike with Ward and the Titans last year, there has seemed to be no hesitation that Mendoza would be the first overall pick. With the Indiana Hoosiers having their championship Pro Day on Wednesday, Mendoza showed off his arm and accuracy for everyone in attendance to see: pinpoint accuracy from @fernandomendoza 👏 @IndianaFootball pic. twitter.

com/O0FKZMXCxx — NFL (@NFL) April 1, 2026 Mendoza completed 53 of 56 passes, with two drops from his pass catchers. While Las Vegas seems highly unlikely to trade down from the first spot, an interesting thought experiment is whether or not Mendoza, like Ward last year, is worth Cleveland trying to make a move up. This year, the Browns would have more draft capital to trade, but also further to move.