Expected top pick Fernando Mendoza opting not to attend NFL Draft
Expected Las Vegas Raiders top pick Fernando Mendoza will not attend the 2026 NFL Draft in person, choosing to hear his named called at home in Miami.
Fernando Mendoza is all but a surety to hear his name called with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team that he lands with is far from a mystery.
The Las Vegas Raiders will beat the other 31 teams in the league to the punch to pick Mendoza in all likelihood, at No. 1 overall. Where Mendoza receives the news on draft day will surely not be in Pittsburgh, PA as Mendoza will forego attending the draft in person in favor of waiting to hear his name get called among his family in Miami.
Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami.
pic. twitter. com/ApUc7UmIDX — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 7, 2026 Mendoza is a native of Miami, FL.