Raiders Reportedly Eyeing Quarterback Fernando Mendoza in NFL Draft

Odds and speculation swirl around the potential first-overall pick, but the team remains tight-lipped on their plans.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:00am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion of a football player in mid-throw, with the player's features and uniform obscured into abstract shapes and planes, reflecting the uncertainty and speculation surrounding the upcoming NFL Draft.The NFL Draft's high-stakes quarterback drama is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the throwing motion of a player, mirroring the fluid uncertainty surrounding the Raiders' top pick.Chicago Today

The 2024 NFL Draft has been dominated by speculation that the Las Vegas Raiders will select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. While betting odds have heavily favored Mendoza going to the Raiders, the team has remained publicly silent on their plans, leading to a debate over whether the pick is truly inevitable or if other options could still emerge.

Why it matters

The Raiders' decision with the first pick will have major implications for the trajectory of the franchise, as they look to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Mendoza is viewed as a potential franchise-changing talent, but the team's reticence to confirm their plans has sparked questions about whether they may still be open to trading the pick or considering other options.

The details

Betting markets have installed Mendoza as a heavy favorite to be the first overall pick, with odds as high as -20,000. However, the Raiders have not publicly tipped their hand, leading to speculation that they may still be weighing their options. Some analysts believe the team could be open to trading the pick if presented with a compelling enough offer, potentially forcing them to wait until a later draft to select Mendoza or another quarterback. The 2023 NFL Draft saw the Bears and Panthers execute a blockbuster trade involving the first overall pick, and a similar move by the Raiders could reshape the entire draft landscape.

  • The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27.
  • Betting odds on Mendoza being the first overall pick have been available since early April 2024.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

A highly touted quarterback prospect out of Indiana University, Mendoza is widely projected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL franchise based in Las Vegas, the Raiders hold the first overall pick in the 2024 draft and are rumored to be targeting Mendoza as their quarterback of the future.

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What they’re saying

“The line landing at -20000 for Mendoza to be first overall is a theatrical exaggeration, a mirror held up to our appetite for inevitability.”

— Author

“If someone offers the Raiders a deal that would force them to pause Mendoza until 2027, would they bite? It's not just about a quarterback; it's about how a franchise balances upgrade potential against the risk of locking in the wrong year's class.”

— Author

What’s next

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place on April 25-27, where the Raiders will make the first overall selection and potentially choose Fernando Mendoza as their quarterback of the future.

The takeaway

The Raiders' handling of the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has become a high-stakes drama, with the team's silence on their plans fueling speculation and debate. While Mendoza is widely viewed as the likely pick, the Raiders' reluctance to confirm their intentions suggests they may still be weighing their options, potentially including trading the pick. Ultimately, the team's decision will have major implications for the future of the franchise and the entire draft landscape.