Fernando Mendoza
Getty
The Raiders will bring Fernando Mendoza to town for a pre-draft visit on Tuesday after signing Kirk Cousins
The Las Vegas Raiders have been rebuilding their team at pretty much every level this offseason. Klint Kubiak has been hired to be the Raiders’ new head coach, and the roster has been overhauled across the board. Of course, the most important move Las Vegas is making appears to be at the quarterback position.
On Thursday morning, Las Vegas signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a complicated deal that is essentially a one-year, $20 million contract. For months, though, the Raiders have been expected to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they appear set to take a big step towards making that happen next week.
Raiders Schedule Pre-Draft Visit with Fernando Mendoza
Adam Schefter
Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to visit Tuesday in Las Vegas with the Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Mendoza has been billed as the best quarterback prospect in this draft class. In his first and only season with the Indiana Hoosiers, Mendoza led them through an undefeated season, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, which helped him win the Heisman Trophy. Las Vegas needs a quarterback, and Mendoza appears to be its best bet at that spot for the time being.
The addition of Cousins, though, has thrown a bit of a wrinkle in the Raiders’ quarterback room, largely because of the money he signed for. Considering how his $20 million salary in 2026 is fully guaranteed, it seems likely that Cousins will begin the year as the team’s starting quarterback, allowing Mendoza to develop behind the scenes for some time.
Some folks wondered if Cousins’ signing could mean that Las Vegas isn’t planning on drafting Mendoza, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The Raiders still have their sights set on him, as they are currently set to bring him to town for a pre-draft visit next Tuesday, which will cross another item off the team’s to-do list before it officially selects Mendoza with the first overall pick.
“Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to visit Tuesday in Las Vegas with the Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick,” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported in a post on X.
Raiders Inching Towards Big Fernando Mendoza Decision
Fernando Mendoza
GettyBLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 01: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers scrambles during the 2026 IU Pro Day at John Mellencamp Pavilion on April 01, 2026 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Raiders are still taking the necessary steps in order to ensure Mendoza is the right pick for them, but at this point, it’s pretty much a formality. If Las Vegas were to select someone else, or trade out of this pick, it would undoubtedly qualify as a shock. There are a few things that can be considered a sure thing in the NFL, but Mendoza has been the Raiders’ guy for months now.
Still, the addition of Cousins will make Las Vegas’ quarterback room look a little bit different than initially expected, as Mendoza may not get the starting job right from the get-go. Ultimately, that may help him in his development, but there will be some intrigue at this position beyond just Mendoza’s arrival. For now, the Raiders are making sure all the boxes on Mendoza are checked, but when all is said and done, he will almost certainly be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft.