Fernando Mendoza
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers looks on during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders are less than two months away from kicking off the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 1 overall selection, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first selection in the draft.
“Excited to keep learning about him, and it’s not just me, it’s our entire coaching staff,” Klint Kubiak said regarding Mendoza. “I want all of our coaches to get involved, especially at that position. I want everybody’s input, but obviously, he’s been successful. He had a lot of success last year. He won a national championship, and that’s what you want. You want a winner.”
That said, the projected trades for teams moving up to the first overall pick aren’t going away. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport listed this projected trade between the Raiders and New York Jets, who sit behind with the second overall pick:
Jets Receive: 2026 Round 1 Pick (1.01)
Raiders Receive: 2026 Round 1 Pick (1.02), 2026 Round 2 Pick (2.12), 2027 Round 1 Pick, 2027 Round 2 Pick
Draft pitches heated up when Raiders general manager John Spytek wouldn’t rule out the idea, stating, “I learned a long time ago, always listen. I’m always listening.”
However, Jets general manager Darren Mougey made his feelings clear on the reality of trading up to the No. 1 selection in this year’s draft.
Darren Mougey Shares Telling Statement on Raiders Pick Swap for Fernando Mendoza
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed Mougey’s thoughts on the reality of trading up to draft Mendoza.
“Mougey and Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek are old friends, having worked together for several years with the Broncos. Friendship has its limits, though. It sounds like Mougey has — or will — inquire about trading up for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 pick. He indicated that his Broncos buddy isn’t budging.
‘Absolutely, we’ll talk about all those things, but I don’t think that’s happening,’ Mougey said with a laugh.”
Seems like Mougey knows trading up to draft Mendoza isn’t going to happen. If the team with the second overall pick won’t be able to trade up, it’s hard to imagine another team would be able to convince Spytek to move out of the top spot.
Mendoza Comments on Raiders Interview During the NFL Combine
Mendoza didn’t do any drills during the NFL Combine, but he still had a chance to interview with the Raiders.
“I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders,” Mendoza said. “It was a fantastic interview. Coaching staff was in there. We went over some of my previous plays and did 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. Excited for the opportunity and whatever team drafts me, I am going to give everything I got to them.”
Mendoza also went into detail on what he liked about the Raiders’ coaching staff.
“They’re very football savvy, which is great to see. They taught me a play, and they had their whole progression of how they teach quarterbacks to play. It was very similar to how my Indiana progression was. Very Type A guys, and they had all the details of each play, what to do if you get a problem with each play, what’s your drop, what’s your progression. That’s something that I really enjoy.”
Nick Walters
Fernando Mendoza at the NFL combine • “Fantastic” interview with #Raiders • Spoke briefly to Tom Brady on the phone • Called Klint Kubiak and his staff “very football savvy” • Indiana teammates rave about his leadership skills • Lauded by national media as the top player of
Mendoza said it’ll be a blessing to be drafted by any team, but all signs point to him becoming the quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.