The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, placing them at the center of a quarterback conversation that has largely pointed in one direction. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is viewed as the top quarterback in his class, and every projection has linked him to Las Vegas. Not everyone agrees that should be the plan.
Danny Parkins Argues the Raiders Should Trade the No. 1 Pick, Passing on Fernando Mendoza
During a recent segment on FS1’s First Things First, Danny Parkins said the Raiders would be better served trading the top selection rather than drafting Mendoza.
“Given how many holes the Raiders have, and given the comp for Mendoza seems to be a Jared Goff type who’s a little faster with a little worse arm… that can miss,” Parkins said.
The stance is notably contrarian. Mendoza is considered the No. 1 quarterback in his class and, in several mock drafts, the projected No. 1 overall pick. The former Indiana standout led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title and a national championship while winning the Heisman Trophy.
He threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season. On the ground, he added 276 rushing yards and seven scores, and posted a 93.3 PFSN College QB Impact score.
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At 6-foot-5, Mendoza fits the physical profile teams often seek in a franchise quarterback. Evaluations highlight his production, composure, and leadership. The Raiders have been frequently mentioned as a logical landing spot, particularly given their need for long-term stability at the world’s most valuable position.
Parkins’ argument centered on roster construction rather than Mendoza’s résumé. Las Vegas secured the top pick after finishing with the league’s worst record. The team dealt with protection issues up front and depth concerns on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 55 times last season and threw 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions behind a shaky offensive line.
In that context, Parkins suggested that trading the No. 1 pick could allow the Raiders to accumulate additional high-end assets to address multiple needs.
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The broader draft conversation has largely focused on Mendoza’s upside and fit. Parkins’ position reframes the discussion around value and resource allocation. Instead of selecting a quarterback at the top of the board, he argued Las Vegas should consider leveraging the pick to accelerate a more comprehensive rebuild.
But comparing Mendoza to Jared Goff is not inherently a slight, even if Parkins framed it skeptically. Goff was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, has led two different franchises to conference championship games, and started a Super Bowl. He has multiple 4,000-yard seasons and has thrown for 30 or more touchdowns in a year.
The Raiders’ decision at No. 1 will shape the franchise’s direction. Parkins’ comments added a counterpoint to the prevailing expectation that Mendoza is the automatic choice.
