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Raiders take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 overall pick
Jets, Cardinals, Titans and Giants round out the top five picks in 2026 NFL mock draft
Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:20pm
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The Raiders are set to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to a new mock draft. The Jets, Cardinals, Titans and Giants are projected to follow with the next four picks, addressing needs at edge rusher, offensive tackle, linebacker and running back respectively.
Why it matters
The Raiders' decision at No. 1 will set the tone for the rest of the draft, with several top prospects like Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs still available in the top 10. Teams will be looking to trade up or down depending on how the board falls, making the early picks crucial.
The details
The Raiders are widely expected to take Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy finalist from Indiana, with the top selection. However, GM John Spytek has left the door open for potential trades, saying the team is "always listening" to offers. The Jets are projected to take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, while the Cardinals address their offensive line needs with Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 3. The Titans select Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 4, and the Giants land Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 5.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April.
The players
Fernando Mendoza
Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback from Indiana University.
David Bailey
Edge rusher from Texas Tech University.
Francis Mauigoa
Offensive tackle from the University of Miami.
Arvell Reese
Linebacker from Ohio State University.
Jeremiyah Love
Running back from the University of Notre Dame.
What they’re saying
“Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick, whether the Raiders make the selection or not.”
— John Spytek, Raiders General Manager (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
What’s next
The Raiders will decide whether to keep the No. 1 overall pick or trade down in the coming weeks leading up to the draft.
The takeaway
This year's NFL Draft appears to have a clear top prospect in Fernando Mendoza, but the intrigue will come in how the rest of the top 10 picks unfold as teams look to address key needs through the draft and potential trades.
