Raiders Eyeing Indiana Reunion in NFL Draft

Las Vegas could look to reunite QB Fernando Mendoza with WR Elijah Sarratt in 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping movements and perspectives of a football game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the chemistry between a star college quarterback and his top wide receiver, now reunited in the NFL draft.Washington Today

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After that, they may look to reunite Mendoza with his former college teammate, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, who is projected to be available in the second round.

Why it matters

Reuniting star college quarterbacks and wide receivers in the NFL has proven successful in recent years, with examples like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, and Derek Carr and Davante Adams. The Raiders hope to replicate that chemistry and production by potentially pairing Mendoza with his trusted target Sarratt.

The details

Sarratt, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound wide receiver, is coming off a massive 2025 season at Indiana where he caught 65 passes for 830 yards and a national-best 15 touchdowns. While he may struggle with separation against press coverage at the NFL level, his established rapport with Mendoza could help ease his transition.

  • The Raiders will select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • Elijah Sarratt is projected to be available for the Raiders in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The star quarterback from Indiana University who is expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Elijah Sarratt

The wide receiver from Indiana University who had a standout 2025 season, catching 65 passes for 830 yards and 15 touchdowns. He could be a target for the Raiders in the second round to reunite with his college quarterback Mendoza.

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What they’re saying

“The best strategy with the remaining nine picks would be bolstering Mendoza's support system. Even though the Raiders took two wide receivers in last year's draft (Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech), it wouldn't be surprising for them to grab another pass catcher, especially if Elijah Sarratt (Indiana) falls to pick No. 36. Reuniting Mendoza with Sarratt would also be ideal, and a running back on Day 3 could be a possibility.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Raiders will have a chance to reunite Mendoza and Sarratt if the wide receiver is available when they pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to potentially pair Mendoza with his former Indiana teammate Sarratt in the 2026 NFL Draft highlights the value of reuniting star college quarterback-wide receiver duos at the professional level. This strategy has proven successful in recent years and could help the Raiders maximize their new franchise quarterback's potential.