The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Let’s look at what it means:
The timing was right:
The Raiders have badly looking for a young quarterback to groom for the past four years. The timing was never right. Yet, this year, the stars aligned as the Raiders earned the No.1 overall pick and Mendoza is the only quarterback worthy of being a top pick. The Jets, who also went 3-14, are out of the mix and had to trade for Geno
Smith, who was the Raiders’ veteran waste of time last year. If the Raiders had the No. 2 pick, they probably would have signed Kyler Murray and still be in no man’s land. Now, finally, there is an answer and it’s Mendoza.
It’s now or never with Kubiak and Mendoza:
We all know the Raiders’ history for most of this decade. It’s been awful, but there is actual hope now with new head coach Klint Kubiak and Mendoza. Kubiak was a highly-regarded Super-Bowl winning offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks last season while Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to their first national title. They have a chance to grew into an elite coach-quarterback combination for the next decade plus. Yet, if Kubiak can’[t make the transition from excellent coordinator to effective head coach and if the NFL game is too big for Mendoza, this will be a major step backward for the organization. This has to work.
Three skill-position first rounders in a row:
The Raiders’ 2024-26 first-round draft pick could go down in NFL history if it all works . In 2024, the Raiders drafted tight end Brock Bowers and No. 13 and running back Ashton Jeanty. Now, it’s Mendoza. This trio has a chance to be the foundation of an excellent offense in Las Vegas for years to come.
He’s been part of winning program before:
Mendoza proved he can be a winner in 2025 as he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record. The program suffered for years and he helped a fast turnaround. He will be coming to the NFL with the confidence, knowing he can do it again.
Let’s not worry about when he plays yet:
The big question in the next several months will be if Mendoza can begin the season as the starter or if veteran Kirk Cousins will open the season. Both Kubiak and Raiders’ general manager John Spytek have said they would like a rookie quarterback to sit and learn to start the season. Look, Mendoza will play at some point in 2026 and it could very well be Week 1. The reality is, he was drafted to play for a decade not necessarily in September, 2026. So, in the big picture, this narrative doesn’t matter much.
Another chapter in team’s long Latin history:
The Raiders’ have a rich history in the Latin community. Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores an quarterback Jim Plunkett became the first Hispanic coach and quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks was of Hispanic descent. The team has a passionate and strong Latin fan base and now, Mendoza, of Cuban descent, will be donning the Silver and Black. Perfect.
No sure thing:
While there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Mendoza, he’s not a can’t-miss prospect. But that’s OK few quarterback prospects are. He has a chance to be really good. Let’s see what happens and not make the expectations too high.
This has nothing to do with 2007:
We’ve heard the name of JaMarcus Russell a lot because he was the last player the Raiders took with the No. 1 pick, 19 years ago. Of course, he was an all-time draft bust. Raiders’ owner Mark Davis recently brought it up that the Raiders were in this position before and it didn’t work. But the reality is, it doesn’t matter. Russell’s history is his history and Mendoza’s future is his future. The two are not connected at all.
Enjoy the person:
Mendoza is known for being a nice, quirky personality who is always smiling. He seems like the perfect face of the franchise. Embrace it.
