The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and for a franchise coming off another lost season, the decision could define the next decade. After ranking last in the NFL in total offense at 245.3 yards per game and watching Geno Smith throw a league-high 17 interceptions, Las Vegas enters April needing more than a tweak. It needs a reset.
Around the league, there appears to be little mystery about how that reset begins.
Fernando Mendoza Viewed As Raiders’ Clear-Cut Answer at No. 1
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, eight NFL executives and scouts were asked whether the Raiders would keep the top pick or trade down. All eight said Las Vegas will stay put and select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“Never say never, but never,” one AFC executive said about the Raiders moving off the top spot, echoing Mike Tomlin’s famous phrase.
Another NFC executive was even more direct: “The Raiders’ roster is bad, but Mendoza is the best passer in the draft and it’s not close. You can’t pass that up. He’s accurate to all levels of the field with a good arm, plus-size and good character.”
Mendoza’s resume supports that confidence. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns while leading Indiana to a 16-0 season and a national championship. The Heisman Trophy winner delivered one of the most dominant final seasons in recent memory.
Evaluators also cite his personality as part of his appeal. “That can be his superpower,” a separate NFC executive said. “He’s really that focused, and I think guys will gravitate toward that.”
Even current players have taken notice. Seattle defensive tackle Leonard Williams described Mendoza as “a great, humble kid,” adding that with his combination of attitude and athleticism, “he’s going to change a locker room wherever he goes.”
There are alternative paths in theory. Trading the pick for an established star such as Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson has been discussed, but those scenarios are widely viewed as unlikely. Former Raiders general manager Tom Telesco made his stance clear on “The Schrager Hour”: “If I’m there, you can’t offer me enough. I’m taking Mendoza.”
The Raiders are ranked 31st in offense with a 56.3 grade in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metrics. With nearly $88 million in cap space, they have the flexibility to build around a rookie quarterback contract. The roster still needs significant upgrades, but league insiders suggest the foundation is obvious.
If the consensus holds, Mendoza will not just be the No. 1 pick. He could become the face of the Raiders’ long-awaited rebuild.
