Raiders Poised to Pick Indiana QB Mendoza 1st Overall

Several teams may target quarterbacks in 2026 NFL Draft despite not having obvious needs

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:30pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a quarterback dropping back to pass, with the player's body and the football broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Raiders' team colors of silver and black.The Raiders' selection of a quarterback with the top pick could have a domino effect on the 2026 NFL Draft order.Las Vegas Today

The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to feature a highly anticipated quarterback selection at the top, as the Las Vegas Raiders are widely projected to take former Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. While not every team will be in the market for a new signal-caller, analysts believe more clubs than usual may consider drafting a QB this year, even if they don't have an obvious need at the position.

Why it matters

The quarterback position is the most important and scrutinized in the NFL, so the Raiders' decision at No. 1 will have major implications for the future of their franchise. Additionally, the potential for more teams than expected to target quarterbacks in the draft could shake up the order and create some surprises on draft day.

The details

Mendoza, who threw for over 3,800 yards and 32 touchdowns in his final season at Indiana, is widely viewed as the top QB prospect in this year's class. The Raiders, who struggled with inconsistent quarterback play last season, are expected to build their team around the talented young passer. While most teams picking in the top 10 have established starters, the possibility of QB-needy clubs trading up could lead to an unexpected run on signal-callers early in the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

A former quarterback at Indiana University who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Las Vegas Raiders

An NFL team that is expected to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to address their need at the quarterback position.

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What they’re saying

“Mendoza has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. The Raiders would be wise to build around him with the top pick.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft order will be finalized in the weeks leading up to the event, which could impact which teams target quarterbacks and how early they are selected.

The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Draft appears poised to feature a highly anticipated quarterback selection at the top, as the Raiders are expected to take Indiana's Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. While not every team will be in the market for a new signal-caller, the potential for more QB-needy clubs to trade up could lead to an unexpected run on the position early in the draft.