Raiders Poised to Draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

Odds heavily favor the Raiders selecting Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football quarterback's throwing motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the multifaceted nature of the Raiders' pivotal draft decision.The Raiders' selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick would reshape the team's future through a cubist lens.Chicago Today

With the odds of quarterback Fernando Mendoza being the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft sitting at -20000, it appears increasingly likely that the Las Vegas Raiders will select the Indiana University product. During a recent press conference, Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins hinted at the team having an all-Big Ten depth chart, further fueling speculation that Mendoza is their target.

Why it matters

The Raiders have a clear need at quarterback, and Mendoza is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in this year's class. His selection would solidify the team's long-term plans at the position and provide them with a potential franchise quarterback to build around.

The details

While nothing is official until the draft actually takes place, the signs continue to point towards the Raiders selecting Mendoza. The team has not made any attempts to downplay or deny the rumors, and Cousins' comments during his introductory press conference suggest the organization is already planning around Mendoza's arrival. The only way the Raiders could potentially be swayed from taking Mendoza would be if another team made them an offer they couldn't refuse, involving a significant haul of draft picks that would allow Las Vegas to address multiple roster needs while still waiting until 2027 to select a quarterback.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.
  • Odds of Mendoza being the first overall pick are currently at -20000.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

A highly touted quarterback prospect out of Indiana University, Mendoza is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kirk Cousins

The current starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, Cousins hinted at the team having an all-Big Ten depth chart during a recent press conference.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL franchise that holds the first overall pick in the 2026 Draft and is heavily favored to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

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What they’re saying

“Well, they haven't drafted Mendoza yet”

— Kirk Cousins, Raiders Quarterback

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, where the Raiders are expected to officially select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

The takeaway

The Raiders appear to have their sights set on quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the future face of their franchise. While nothing is guaranteed until the draft, the team's actions and comments from key figures like Kirk Cousins suggest Mendoza will be the top selection, solidifying Las Vegas' long-term plans at the quarterback position.