After yet another disappointing season that saw the Las Vegas Raiders win just three games, they earned the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Though it comes in a year when there is no clear-cut, obvious choice to be the top selection.
However, if the NFL Draft were held today, most speculate that Heisman-winning Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza would be the top selection. Being that the Raiders are desperate for improved QB play, that feels like a safe choice.
Yet, with three months to go before the NFL Draft kicks off, the Raiders have plenty of time to evaluate their options and determine if Mendoza is the right pick for them. On Monday, the Raiders got an up-close and personal look at their potential franchise quarterback.
All of the team’s top decision-makers were in attendance for the College Football National Championship, in which Mendoza’s Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21. Raiders owner Mark Davis was there, as was general manager John Spytek, and even minority owner Tom Brady.
While there were plenty of players the Raiders were likely evaluating, they clearly wanted to see what Mendoza was capable of too. He ended up completing 16-of-27 passes for 186 scoreless yards. He did have seven rushes, but they went for negative eight yards; he did tack on a rushing score on a gutsy 12-yard rush.
We’d be curious to know what the Raiders thought of Mendoza’s performance. Did they see a player they feel is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick? Or will the Raiders shift into another gear, trying to swing another trade to land their next franchise quarterback?
Related: Las Vegas Raiders Linked to Trade for Superstar QB
