Raiders Poised to Draft QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 Overall

Following the trade of Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders are positioned to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 236-pound national champion led the FBS with 41 touchdown passes. Raiders GM John Spytek is focused on building a supporting cast, including offensive line and run game reinforcements, to limit early pressure on the rookie signal-caller as he becomes the new face of the franchise.