Heisman Winner Mendoza Expected to Go No. 1 in 2026 NFL Draft

Experts say the rest of the draft will be full of overreactions and surprises.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting that breaks down a football player in motion into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the surprises and overreactions of the NFL Draft.The unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs a player's movements into dynamic geometric shapes.Las Vegas Today

The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to see Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. However, analysts say the rest of the draft will likely be filled with overreactions and surprises, continuing the annual trend of the NFL Draft being a 'fishbowl' for such reactions.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated and scrutinized annual events in sports, with every pick and selection analyzed in-depth. While the top pick is often a foregone conclusion, the rest of the draft is known for unexpected twists and turns that can significantly impact teams' futures.

The details

Mendoza, the standout quarterback from Indiana University, is widely expected to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. However, analysts say the rest of the draft will likely feature a number of surprises and overreactions from teams, coaches, and fans as they try to find the next big stars.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in late April.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and star quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL team that is projected to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“The NFL Draft is an annual fishbowl for overreactions in both directions — and the 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to continue the trend.”

— Rich Eisen, Host, The Rich Eisen Show

The takeaway

While the selection of Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft may be a foregone conclusion, the rest of the draft is sure to be filled with surprises and overreactions from teams, coaches, and fans as they try to find the next big stars in the league.