Indiana football has never had multiple players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in the same year. But that could all change in less than a month as a pair of Hoosiers are projected to hear their name called on Day 1.
ESPN's Field Yates on Tuesday unveiled an updated 2026 NFL mock draft with two IU players coming off the board in the first round. Indiana quarterback **Fernando Mendoza** maintained his spot as the projected **No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders**, and wide receiver **Omar Cooper Jr.** is the projected **No. 23 overall selection by the Philadelphia Eagles.**
"The draft starts at No. 2, as this pick has been etched in stone basically since the order was decided," Yates wrote. "Mendoza's Heisman-winning season displayed superior accuracy, arm strength, ability to scan the field, clutch production and good in-pocket mobility.
"The Raiders worked hard in free agency to beef up the roster around Mendoza, specifically landing the best available offensive lineman in center Tyler Linderbaum. One area Mendoza will need to work on is being under center. He did that just 3% of the time in 2025; NFL teams played under center on 34.9% of snaps in 2025."
Mendoza did not participate in testing or drills at the NFL Combine, but he engaged in formal team interviews throughout the week, including with Las Vegas' front-office brass. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is expected to throw at Indiana's Pro Day on April 1.
Mendoza's top pass-catching target last season, Cooper Jr., has skyrocketed up draft boards and drawn significant first-round buzz during the pre-draft process. Cooper impressed at the NFL Combine after recording a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical jump.
Previously projected as an early Day 2 draft pick, Cooper is now viewed as a mid-to-late first-round selection. If Cooper is selected in the first round, he would become IU's first wide receiver selected in the first round since Thomas Lewis in 1994.
"Though wide receiver A.J. Brown is still with the Eagles, the fact that the team reportedly had discussions for a trade tells you it's still possible something happens after June 1, when it becomes more palatable from a salary cap standpoint," Yates wrote. "Of course, Philadelphia would be thin long term at receiver without Brown, which is where Cooper could help. He's one of the best players in space from this class, averaging 7.3 yards after the catch in 2025. Plus, he can block extremely well downfield, which would fare well for running back Saquon Barkley.
The NFL Draft runs from Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Day 1 coverage includes the 1st round; Day 2 includes the 2nd and 3rd rounds; Day 3 concludes with the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th rounds.
Indiana's Pro Day on April 1 is expected to draw a large contingency of NFL scouts and front-office personnel. **Below is the full list of IU players expected to participate in the Pro Day**:
\- OL Kahlil Benson
\- RB Kaelon Black
\- S Devan Boykin
\- WR Jonathan Brady
\- C Pat Coogan
\- WR Omar Cooper Jr.
\- DL Stephen Daley
\- LB Aiden Fisher
\- K Brendan Franke
\- RB Roman Hemby
\- DL Mikail Kamara
\- LS Mark Langston
\- P Mitch McCarthy
\- QB Fernando Mendoza
\- S Louis Moore
\- TE Riley Nowakowski
\- CB D'Angelo Ponds
\- DL Dominque Ratcliff
\- WR Elijah Sarratt
\- TE Holden Staes
\- RB Solomon Vanhorse
\- WR E.J. Williams Jr.
\- DL Kellan Wyatt