Fernando Mendoza Selected First Overall by Las Vegas Raiders in 2026 NFL Draft
The former Indiana quarterback was widely expected to be the top pick in this year's draft, which began Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh
Fernando Mendoza Credit: Logan Bowles/Getty; Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty NEED TO KNOW Fernando Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft The Heisman Trophy winner was long expected to be the top selection in this year's draft Las Vegas is looking to the future following a brutal 3-14 campaign in 2025 Fernando Mendoza is headed to Las Vegas.
The former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback was selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, April 23 in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza, 22, received the life-altering phone call from the Raiders at home in South Florida instead of taking in this year’s draft festivities from Pittsburgh.
He was joined by friends and family, including his mother Elsa , who has multiple sclerosis. Fernando Mendoza was the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty The reigning Heisman Trophy winner who won the College Football Playoff national championship earlier this year, Mendoza was widely expected to land with the Raiders, who dealt last season’s starting quarterback, Geno Smith, to the New York Jets in March. Las Vegas finished the 2025 regular season with a 3-14 record.
Mendoza now enters a quarterbacks room that includes 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell and veteran Kirk Cousins, who joined the Raiders earlier this month and will earn $20 million in guaranteed money for the 2026 season, according to ESPN. It remains to be seen when Mendoza will get playing time this season. Fernando Mendoza in action for the Indiana Hoosiers in January 2026 Credit: L.