The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here, and although there has been much uncertainty throughout the first round, the #1 pick was always one person. With the number one pick in the draft, the Las Vegas Raiders got their QB of the future.
Las Vegas Raiders Select QB Fernando Mendoza at #1
It is official: Fernando Mendoza, out of Indiana, will be the Raiders’ next QB. This was always the pick since Las Vegas got the first pick in the NFL Draft, and after so much QB uncertainty since Derek Carr, an answer has been found. In PFSN’s Draft HQ, Mendoza had a 90.6 overall grade.
Even though this was the obvious selection, the NFL World had its reactions:
Former NFL QB Robert Griffin III has high hopes for the Raiders next season: “The Raiders go ALL IN on Fernando Mendoza with the 1st Pick in the NFL Draft. Y’ALL BETTER WAKE UP! Heisman, National Champ, 41 TDs to only 6 ints and TOUGHER THAN A 2 DOLLAR STEAK. Tom Brady and Klint Kubiak’s young core of Mendoza, Jeanty and Bowers will bring the Raiders BACK”.
The @Raiders go ALL IN on Fernando Mendoza with the 1st Pick in the NFL Draft. Y’ALL BETTER WAKE UP! Heisman, National Champ, 41 TDs to only 6 ints and TOUGHER THAN A 2 DOLLAR STEAK. Tom Brady and Klint Kubiak’s young core of Mendoza, Jeanty and Bowers will bring the Raiders BACK pic.twitter.com/xsmMqgoGZ7
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 24, 2026
Analyst Skip Bayless reveals his worries about Mendoza in the NFL, “My only concern about Fernando Mendoza is that he’s somewhat a product of a supremely coached MACHINE.”
My only concern about Fernando Mendoza is that he’s somewhat a product of a supremely coached MACHINE.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 24, 2026
NFL insider Jordan Schultz speaks on how much has changed for Mendoza since last year, “A lot can change in a year: this time in 2025, Fernando Mendoza was nowhere on NFL Draft boards. 365 days later, he’s a Heisman winner, national champ and the No. 1 overall pick.”
Dallas Cowboys insider RJ Ochoa shows his excitement for the Raiders with Mendoza, “Cannot wait to see what the Raiders look like over the course of the next few years with Fernando Mendoza. It would be awesome to see them find relevance and success.”
Cannot wait to see what the Raiders look like over the course of the next few years with Fernando Mendoza.
It would be awesome to see them find relevance and success.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 24, 2026
Podcast Pardon My Take posts a very funny photo of Mendoza with star player Maxx Crosby’s tattoos on him, “First look at Fernando Mendoza as a Raider”.
First look at Fernando Mendoza as a Raider pic.twitter.com/4x3poXdG4T
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) April 24, 2026
Raiders minority owner and one of the best NFL QBs of all time, Tom Brady, spoke to the rookies and specifically Mendoza after the team’s selection:
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
“Welcome to Las Vegas, Fernandon Mendoza,” Brady wrote. “Time to get to work.”
Congratulations to all the rookies who are joining the NFL this weekend. I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you’ve earned it through hard work, discipline, and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey that has supported…
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 24, 2026
On the Football Debate Club Live Draft Show, PFSN insider Jacob Infante gave the pick an A+ grade, and PFSN insider Ian Cummings gave an A-.
This was a franchise-changing selection for the Raiders, and now, with new HC Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas has a bright future.
