The countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft is officially on, and all eyes are on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza - a name that’s quickly becoming synonymous with the No. 1 overall pick. After a season that can only be described as electric, Mendoza has vaulted to the top of draft boards with the kind of résumé that demands attention: a 182.9 passer rating, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions over 16 games. Throw in a Heisman Trophy, and you’ve got a quarterback prospect who isn’t just leading the class - he’s defining it.
Dubbed “Heismendoza” by fans and analysts alike, the 22-year-old has emerged as the clear front-runner in a draft class that, while talented, doesn’t feature another quarterback with his level of production or polish. And with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the top pick, the conversation is naturally shifting toward how head coach Klint Kubiak might shape the future of the franchise around a player like Mendoza.
Kubiak, known for his offensive acumen, is reportedly intrigued by the Indiana star - and for good reason. Mendoza’s combination of poise, accuracy, and decision-making is rare, especially in a college quarterback.
He’s shown he can handle pressure, command an offense, and elevate the players around him. But as the draft approaches, some analysts are urging caution - not because Mendoza isn’t worthy of the top pick, but because expectations at No. 1 can be a double-edged sword.
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks offered a measured take, pointing out that while Mendoza is likely to go first overall, he may not fit the mold of a so-called “transcendent” quarterback. That doesn’t mean he won’t succeed - far from it.
Brooks emphasized that Mendoza can thrive in the right system, especially one that plays to his strengths. But he also warned against building him up into something he’s not.
“We just have to be careful of making him more than what he is,” Brooks said - a reminder that even top picks need the right environment to reach their full potential.
That puts the spotlight squarely on Kubiak and the Raiders. If Mendoza is indeed their guy, it’ll be up to the coaching staff to develop him properly, build a scheme that suits his skill set, and manage the expectations that come with being the face of a franchise.
The Raiders have been searching for long-term stability at quarterback for years. If they believe Mendoza is that answer, they’ll need to support him with more than just a playbook - they’ll need a plan.
Unlike last year’s draft, which featured a heated debate between Cam Ward and Travis Hunter right up until draft night, the 2026 class has a clearer front-runner. That doesn’t mean the talent pool is shallow - far from it.
There are elite prospects across multiple positions. But Mendoza has created separation at the top not because of hype, but because of performance.
He’s earned this spotlight.
So as the league turns its attention to April 23, the narrative is set: Fernando Mendoza is the name to watch. Whether he becomes the next great NFL quarterback will depend not just on his talent, but on how the Raiders - or any team that lands him - choose to build around it.