The 2026 NFL Draft Combine is underway, which means teams can get an up close look at many of the top prospects in this year’s class. For the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the top overall pick, that of course means spending some time with the player expected to be selected No. 1 overall, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy last season while leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and a National Championship. The Raiders have been looking for their franchise quarterback for many years now and Mendoza very well could be the answer to their problems.
And the franchise is already getting to know Mendoza as they have already conducted a formal interview with the quarterback at the combine, one which Mendoza feels went fantastic, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:
“I was lucky to have a formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza said. “Went over some of my previous plays, drew up some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting. I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft, but I’m just excited for the opportunity, and whatever team drafts me I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them.”
While most assume the Raiders will take Mendoza with the first pick, nothing is guaranteed and things could always change. But regardless of what happens on draft night, Mendoza is just happy to be a part of this draft class and will put in all the necessary hard work wherever he winds up:
“There are so many great players in this class,” Mendoza said. “We saw the Ohio State guys run yesterday. There are plenty of Indiana guys who are great in the draft as well. I’m just honored to be a part of the group. There will be no hard feelings. . . . I’m just trying to be the best me possible. Whatever drafts me, I’m grateful, whether it’s the No. 1 pick or the 199th pick.”
That 199th pick was certainly no accident as the greatest quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, who also happens to be a minority owner of the Raiders, was famously taken with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Mendoza definitely won’t be dropping that far and it still seems more than likely that he will be able to build his own connection with Brady should the Raiders do what is expected and bring him to the silver and black.
Raiders GM John Spytek ‘always listening’ as teams call about No. 1 pick
While it is expected that the Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, anything is possible and a team could blow them away with a trade offer. At the very least, Raiders GM John Spytek made it clear that he will listen to any team presenting him with an offer.
