Fernando Mendoza makes history as Raiders’ first overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft

April 25, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

The Las Vegas Raiders have ushered in a new era, selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old signal-caller, who was, according to BBC, the overwhelming favourite for the top honour, capped off a historic collegiate career by becoming only the third player ever to achieve the rare triple crown of winning the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and being the first overall draft pick in the same year. Mendoza joins an elite fraternity that includes Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020), solidifying his status as a generational talent. He led Indiana to their inaugural national championship last season, earning him the title of college football's best player. Despite the grandeur of the three-day event held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mendoza chose to share his monumental moment privately with his family at home in Miami, opting out of attending the draft's opening night.

Early picks and strategic moves

While the draft class was widely considered strongest in defensive front talent, the top of the board quickly diversified after Mendoza's selection. The New York Jets secured pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick, followed by the Arizona Cardinals taking running back Jeremiyah Love at number three. The Tennessee Titans then added wide receiver Carnell Tate with the fourth selection. The New York Giants made an early impact, nabbing two of the first 10 picks. They first selected pass rusher Arvell Reese at pick five, then later secured offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at number 10. Mauigoa, a 20-year-old who grew up in American Samoa, shared his inspiring journey: "I never thought I'd be here. If I can do it, you can do it." A significant trade saw the Kansas City Chiefs move up from the ninth pick to sixth, acquiring cornerback Mansoor Delane. The Chiefs, who missed the play-offs for the first time since the 2014 season, clearly prioritized shoring up their secondary. Delane expressed his surprise and excitement about the move, stating, "They weren't really on me too much in this process. But they said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneaky move, and they made the best move of the draft so I'm excited." The top 10 picks rounded out as follows: 1. QB Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders) 2. LB David Bailey (New York Jets) 3. RB Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals) 4. WR Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans) 5. LB Arvell Reese (New York Giants) 6. CB Mansoor Delane (Kansas City Chiefs, trade with Cleveland Browns) 7. LB Sonny Styles (Washington Commanders) 8. WR Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints) 9. OT Spencer Fano (Cleveland Browns) 10. OT Francis Mauigoa (New York Giants)

Surprises and family legacies

One of the more intriguing selections came at pick 13, where the Los Angeles Rams drafted former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. While Simpson was seen as a potential first-round talent, his selection this early raised eyebrows, especially with last season's MVP, Matt Stafford, having committed to one more year with the team after turning 38 in February. This move suggests the Rams are planning for a future beyond their veteran signal-caller. The Washington Commanders added to a storied family legacy by drafting pass rusher Sonny Styles with the seventh pick. The 21-year-old is the son of Super Bowl-winning linebacker Lorenzo Styles, and his older brother, Lorenzo Jr., also hopes to hear his name called later this weekend. Further down the board, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick, a player who moved from Nigeria to the US at the age of 13. Day one of the draft, held outside the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, saw a massive crowd of 320,000 attendees and a flurry of activity with eight trades agreed. Six teams finished the day with two first-round picks, while the New York Jets made a late surge back into the first round to claim wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., giving them an impressive three first-round selections. The NFL Draft continues with rounds two and three on Friday, followed by rounds four to seven on Saturday, as teams look to finalize their future rosters. Sources: www.bbc.com