Raiders Prepare for Fernando Mendoza Era with Top Draft Pick Visit

Las Vegas to host projected No. 1 overall pick for pre-draft meeting

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:34pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a football quarterback's throwing motion, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of silver, black, and metallic red, representing the colors of the Las Vegas Raiders.The Raiders' transition to a new era at quarterback takes shape as they prepare to welcome projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders are taking the first official step toward selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is scheduled to visit the Raiders on Tuesday as the team prepares to potentially usher in a new era at the quarterback position.

Why it matters

The Raiders' decision to sign veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a five-year deal indicates they are not planning to immediately hand the starting job to a rookie. However, Mendoza is widely projected as the top overall pick, and the Raiders' decision to host him for a pre-draft visit suggests they are laying the groundwork for him to be their quarterback of the future.

The details

Mendoza is coming off a standout season at Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and the program's first national championship. He completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the FBS in several key statistical categories. The Raiders are expected to use the No. 1 overall pick on Mendoza, barring an unexpected turn of events, and plan to have Cousins serve as the starter in 2026 while Mendoza learns the pro game.

  • Mendoza is scheduled to visit the Raiders on Tuesday, April 2, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the program's first national championship.

Kirk Cousins

The veteran quarterback recently signed a five-year deal with the Raiders, and is expected to serve as the starter in 2026 while the team prepares Mendoza for the pro game.

John Spytek

The Raiders' general manager, who is overseeing the team's transition at the quarterback position.

Klint Kubiak

The Raiders' new head coach, who will work closely with Mendoza to develop him as the team's future starting quarterback.

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What they’re saying

“Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to visit Tuesday in Las Vegas with the Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Insider

What’s next

The Raiders will continue their evaluation of Mendoza during his visit, and will make their final decision on the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to host Mendoza for a pre-draft visit signals their strong interest in selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick, as they look to transition to a new era at quarterback. While veteran Kirk Cousins is expected to start in 2026, the team appears poised to hand the reins to Mendoza, the highly touted prospect, in the near future.