Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft given the Las Vegas Raiders' need for a quarterback, but one team gave the Indiana product a way to slide
17:59 ET, 27 Feb 2026
Fernando Mendoza addressed his meetings with the Raiders on Friday
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Fernando Mendoza addressed his meetings with the Raiders on Friday(Image: Getty Images)
Fernando Mendoza revealed that a team told him to get arrested so he could slide and be available come the NFL Draft.
With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the franchise has the opportunity to redefine its identity for a decade. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to national championship glory, is the man many expect to be selected when the Raiders are on the clock.
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He emerged as a top-tier passer in 2025, playing at such a level that his ex-roommate was even impressed. Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions across 16 games for Indiana, leading the nation in QBR (90.3).
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While he is not going to take part in the Combine, avoiding testing when his peers take to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, Mendoza still traveled to Indianapolis to meet with teams and speak to the media. Given the Raiders’ interest and need for a quarterback, it’s unlikely Mendoza needs to meet with other teams.
However, some teams have tried to get him to slide past the first overall pick. Mendoza revealed that one franchise asked him to get arrested so he would be available when the clock began on their selection.
When asked for the weirdest question he received at the NFL Combine, Mendoza laughed and told CBS Sports: “‘Hey, maybe you should get arrested.’ I was a little confused, but it was to slide [in the Draft].
“Hopefully I don't get arrested.”
Mendoza refused to outline who the team was, adding: “It was not one of the teams that I had a formal interview with, so I don't want to expose the team.”
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Fernando Mendoza is not throwing at the NFL Combine
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Mendoza is not throwing at the NFL Combine(Image: Getty Images)
Mendoza admitted he met with the Raiders and spoke to Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion who is a minority owner of the AFC West franchise. When asked what he would most like to learn from Brady, Mendoza said: “I would say his system and his discipline.
“The way he has a system - the TB12 Method. I've already read the book. Everything that he's all about is something that I've always emulated as a football player. And anything the coaching staff has as coaching points, like, 'Hey Fernando, we need you to get better at this, this, and that,' I'm gonna be like, 'Hey Tom, how do I get better at this, this, and that?'
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“If I get selected by Mr. Spytek and the Raiders. If that does happen, it'd be a great opportunity. But any team I get drafted by, I look forward to utilizing their former quarterbacks as well.”