Raiders take Mendoza with first pick of NFL Draft
Mendoza is just third player in history to be a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year.
Fernando Mendoza opted to stay at home with his family rather than stroll onto the draft stage in Pittsburgh [Getty Images] The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old was the overwhelming favourite for the honour, having been named the best player in college football last season, when he led Indiana to their first national championship. He becomes just the third player to be the Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year, after Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020).
Mendoza did not attend the start of the three-day event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as he opted to share the moment with his family at home in Miami. The NFL's next superstar and how mum's struggle inspired rise to top The strongest area in this year's draft class was thought to be the defensive front and the New York Jets took pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick. Yet the next two picks were both offensive players, with the Arizona Cardinals selecting running back Jeremiyah Love before the Tennessee Titans sprang a surprise by taking wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The New York Giants were one of six teams with multiple picks in the first round - fifth and 10th - and bolstered on each side of the ball, picking pass rusher Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa grew up in American Samoa and the 20-year-old paid homage to his homeland with a collage on the back of his suit jacket. "I never thought I'd be here," he said.
"If I can do it, you can do it. " Jeremiyah Love (left) and Colton Hood (centre) wore custom-made suits while Francis Mauigoa (right) celebrated his American Samoan heritage [Getty Images] The Kansas City Chiefs are keen to rebuild after missing out on the play-offs for the first time since the 2014 season and traded up from the ninth pick to sixth to take cornerback Mansoor Delane. The Dallas Cowboys moved up one spot to claim safety Caleb Downs at 11 while the Los Angeles Rams pulled off a shock by taking Ty Simpson.