Fernando Mendoza is a Raider, what does it all mean?
A new era has begun in Raiders’ football
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - APRIL 01: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers speaks to the media during the 2026 IU Pro Day at John Mellencamp Pavilion on April 01, 2026 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Let’s look at what it means: The timing was right: The Raiders have badly looking for a young quarterback to groom for the past four years. The timing was never right. Yet, this year, the stars aligned as the Raiders earned the No.
1 overall pick and Mendoza is the only quarterback worthy of being a top pick. The Jets, who also went 3-14, are out of the mix and had to trade for Geno Smith, who was the Raiders’ veteran waste of time last year. If the Raiders had the No.
2 pick, they probably would have signed Kyler Murray and still be in no man’s land. Now, finally, there is an answer and it’s Mendoza. #Raiders so fortunate Mendoza is worthy of the top pick.