The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to their first national championship last season and was widely expected to go first overall. He becomes just the third player in history to win the Heisman, a national title, and be the No. 1 pick in the same year, after Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020).
Mendoza skipped the draft ceremony in Pittsburgh to watch with his family at home in Miami. His idol Tom Brady, a Raiders minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion, posted on social media: "Welcome to Las Vegas. Time to get to work."
A business graduate, Mendoza joked about his draft status by announcing "my LinkedIn status is now Open to Work" and updated his profile shortly after getting the call.
He joins quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell in Las Vegas and said he had spoken with Brady. "He has mentioned that whatever quarterback they select, he is going to pour into them and give them advice," Mendoza said. "I'm looking forward to that."
Other notable picks included pass rusher David Bailey going second to the New York Jets, running back Jeremiyah Love third to Arizona, and wide receiver Carnell Tate fourth to Tennessee. The New York Giants had two top-10 picks, selecting pass rusher Arvell Reese at fifth and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at tenth.