Fernando Mendoza Eyes No. 1 Pick, Embraces Raiders Possibility

INDIANAPOLIS — Back in the state where he delivered Indiana’s first national championship, Fernando Mendoza made his next ambition crystal clear: becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Widely viewed as the favorite to go first overall potentially to the Las Vegas Raiders Mendoza kept perspective at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview… We went over some of my previous plays and did plays on the board.”

While Las Vegas holds the top pick, Mendoza isn’t assuming anything. “Anything can happen in the draft. Whatever team drafts me, I am going to give everything I got.”

A Raiders–Brady Connection?

The intrigue grows deeper given that Tom Brady now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders briefly connected with Mendoza during the draft process. Mendoza revealed he was able to say “a brief hi” to Brady over the phone during his formal Raiders interview. Brady was also present at Indiana’s title-game victory over Miami, though Mendoza didn’t realize it until afterward.

The admiration is clear: “Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin… To potentially have a mentor like that would mean so much.” For a quarterback prospect aiming to be the top pick, the possibility of learning from a seven-time Super Bowl champion adds another layer to the storyline.

Resume That Demands Attention

Mendoza’s numbers back the hype:

• 16-0 national championship season at Indiana

• 19 wins in his past 20 starts (dating back to his time at Cal)

• Poised, pro-style command praised by evaluators

He opted not to throw at the combine and instead plans to showcase his arm at Indiana’s pro day on April 1 in Bloomington.

From 16-0 to 7-27?

If the Raiders do select him, Mendoza could be walking into a rebuild. Las Vegas has gone 7-27 over the past two seasons and enters 2026 with its sixth head coach since 2020, now led by Klint Kubiak.

But Mendoza doesn’t seem intimidated. “The margins are so small… The difference between a losing record and a winning record is a couple of drives, a couple of key plays.”

His tone throughout the combine was steady confident but grounded. Asked what he’d say if the Raiders (or any team) passed on him? “Nothing… There’ll be no hard feelings.”

He even referenced Brady’s own draft slide to No. 199 overall in 2000 a reminder that draft position doesn’t define legacy.

The Big Picture

Mendoza appears comfortable with both the spotlight and the uncertainty. Whether he goes No. 1 overall or later in the first round, he carries:

• A championship pedigree

•  Leadership experience

• Public poise

• And a potential mentorship arc with Tom Brady

With pro day looming and team visits likely ahead, the path to April is just beginning but the Raiders narrative is already writing itself.