Heisman Winner Mendoza Locks in as Top NFL Draft Pick

QB1 spot solidified, but QB2 remains a crucial question for teams

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a quarterback dropping back to pass, with the player's form broken down into overlapping planes of bright colors.The race to be the second quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft could have major implications for teams seeking their future franchise signal-caller.Today in Pittsburgh

Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana, is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the quarterback position beyond Mendoza remains a crucial question that could shape the rest of the draft for teams in need of a signal-caller.

Why it matters

The quarterback position is the most important and highly scrutinized in the NFL, so the battle to be the QB2 in this year's draft class will have major implications for teams looking to find their future franchise quarterback outside of the top overall selection.

The details

Mendoza, who led his team to a national championship last season, has been the consensus QB1 for months leading up to the draft. His selection by the Raiders with the top pick is considered a foregone conclusion. But the race to be the second quarterback taken is wide open, with several talented prospects vying to hear their name called early in the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft begins in one week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion quarterback from Indiana who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Raiders.

Roger Goodell

The Commissioner of the National Football League who will announce the top picks at the draft.

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The takeaway

The battle to be the QB2 in this year's NFL Draft class will be a crucial storyline, as teams in need of a franchise quarterback look to find their future signal-caller outside of the top overall selection.