Live 2026 NFL Draft Grades: Raiders select QB Fernando Mendoza
We give you live grades for all 32 picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft so keep checking back.
The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, and the pick we were all expecting to happen kicked things off. The Las Vegas Raiders selected former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, and he will now become the centerpiece of the Las Vegas offense.
From a class standpoint, Mendoza is far and away the top quarterback and the only quarterback we gave a first-round grade on. In terms of his skills, despite being one of the least productive No. 1 overall picks of all time, the film we have on Mendoza shows us that he's got all the tools.
He has ideal NFL size and his arm strength is excellent, especially when he attacks downfield. For the Raiders, Mendoza is going to be asked to rejuvenate an offense that has running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers as his primary weapons. Overall, taking Mendoza makes the Raiders significantly better from Day One and we think he has the potential to be a Top 10 quarterback in the NFL within five years.
Grade: A This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Live 2026 NFL Draft Grades: Raiders select QB Fernando Mendoza