Presumed future Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza will make the franchise wait a little longer to see him in a team jersey after making an NFL Draft announcement
18:41 ET, 07 Apr 2026
Fernando Mendoza
View 3 Images
Fernando Mendoza is the presumed first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft(Image: Getty Images)
If the Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza with the first pick at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the former Indiana quarterback won't come up to the stage and hold up a jersey.
Instead of sitting in the green room, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be surrounded by family — including his ex-Indiana teammate and brother Alberto Mendoza — in their Miami home.
Article continues below
The 22-year-old won't be the first prospective first overall pick to miss out on the draft. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (2018) and Trevor Lawrence (2021) didn't attend their drafts, and neither did defensive stars Myles Garrett (2017) or Travon Walker (2022).
READ MORE: Jim Nantz sets record straight on Tony Romo and intense criticism he facesREAD MORE: Chiefs heiress melts hearts with 4-word engagement announcement to ex-NFL QB's son
While ESPN's Adam Schefter didn't specify the reason Mendoza is missing out, one theory is that it involves the 22-year-old's mother, Elsa. She has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, perhaps limiting her ability to attend the in-person draft.
Mendoza is widely presumed to be taken first overall by the Raiders in a draft notable for lacking other top quarterback prospects after Oregon's Dante Moore pulled out.
Baker Mayfield
View 3 Images
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was left with an empty stage when the Browns drafted Baker Mayfield in 2018(Image: Getty Images)
The ex-Hooisers signal caller completed over 72% of his passes during his national championship-winning campaign in 2025, throwing for 3,535 yards and an FBS-best 41 touchdowns. Las Vegas signed Kirk Cousins last week, giving the team a veteran option at the QB position to compete with their likely new option.
The 2018 NFL Draft was in Mayfield's home state of Texas, but the former Oklahoma University star opted to spend it with family. In 2017, he threw for 4,627 yards while recording 48 total touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield
View 3 Images
Baker Mayfield spent the first four years of his career with the Browns(Image: Getty Images)
He was by no means a lock to go first overall. Fellow quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Josh Allen loomed as threats to be taken with the first pick by the Cleveland Browns, as did running back Saquon Barkley.
In 2005, Call quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a candidate to be taken first overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, they took Alex Smith, and Rodgers fell all the way to the Green Bay Packers at No. 24.
READ MORE: NFL bosses may make rule change after Kirk Cousins 'loophole' exposedREAD MORE: NFL fans react to 'unreal' news sideline reporter is ruthlessly fired
The Browns drafted Mayfield, notably undersized and more of a "gamer" than an elite athlete, and he helped the franchise snap an 18-year playoff drought in 2020.
Article continues below
Last year, 17 prospects sat in the green room at the NFL Draft. That number was substantially down from its pre-Covid 19 levels, when an average of 24 players attended from 2010 to 2019 (per The Athletic).