Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Projected as First-Round NFL Draft Pick

Sportsnaut predicts Mendoza will be the only QB selected in the 1st round, going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the top overall pick.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:49pm

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According to a Sportsnaut article, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the first and only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders taking him with the top overall pick. The article also suggests uncertainty around where the consensus second-best QB prospect, Ty Simpson, will land in the draft.

Why it matters

Mendoza's projected first-round selection highlights his rapid rise and potential to become an early impact player in the NFL. As the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, his draft position will be closely watched, especially if he is the lone QB taken in the opening round.

The details

The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In a recent Sportsnaut article, writer Matt Johnson made five bold predictions for the upcoming draft, including that Mendoza will be the only quarterback selected in the first round, with the Las Vegas Raiders taking him with the first overall pick. The article suggests uncertainty around where the second-best QB prospect, Ty Simpson, will land, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and other teams potentially looking to move up to get him later in the round.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The starting quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and is projected to be the first and only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders taking him with the top overall pick.

Ty Simpson

The consensus second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, there is uncertainty around where Simpson will be selected, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and other teams potentially looking to move up to get him later in the first round.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL team projected to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone knows that reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick.”

— Matt Johnson, Writer

“The true uncertainty is where the consensus second-best quarterback prospect, Ty Simpson, lands in the 2026 NFL Draft.”

— Matt Johnson, Writer

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft order will be finalized in the weeks leading up to the event, which could impact where Ty Simpson is selected if teams look to move up to get him.

The takeaway

Mendoza's projected first-round selection highlights his status as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and his landing spot with the Raiders will be closely watched as he looks to make an immediate impact at the professional level.