Raiders Hold No. 1 Pick, Fernando Mendoza Emerging as the Favorite in Early Draft Buzz
The Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock, and with the 2026 NFL Draft still months away, the conversation around what they’ll do with the No. 1 overall pick is already heating up. After a 3-14 season that left the franchise searching for answers on multiple fronts, the draft presents a golden opportunity to reset-and potentially land a franchise quarterback.
Right now, all signs are pointing toward Fernando Mendoza being that guy.
According to early betting markets and insight from those close to the action, Mendoza has emerged as the clear front-runner to go first overall. His Heisman-winning season vaulted him to the top of draft boards, and with the Raiders in desperate need of a quarterback-and a head coach, for that matter-he checks a lot of boxes.
“He won the Heisman, so he deserves to be the number one favorite,” said Brandon Kennedy, director of race and sport at Durango Casino. “Desperate need of a quarterback, also desperate need of a coach.”
That quarterback conversation got a little more streamlined this week when Oregon’s Dante Moore announced he’ll return to school for another season. Moore had been viewed as a potential top pick, and his decision narrows the field at the top of the draft, making Mendoza’s case even stronger.
With the No. 1 pick in hand, the Raiders have options. They can take their quarterback of the future, or they can trade back and accumulate draft capital. But if the decision had to be made today, Kennedy believes the Raiders would stay right where they are and take Mendoza.
“I’m taking Fernando Mendoza, No. 1 overall. I think the Raiders keep it,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think they want to gamble, although we’re in the city of gambling.”
Mendoza isn’t just a flashy on-field talent-he’s also earning praise for his approach off the field. In an era where distractions are everywhere, he’s reportedly told teams that the only apps on his phone are YouTube and LinkedIn. That kind of focus stands out.
“This kid is all football, all business,” Kennedy said. “He was at Cal Berkeley before this - really smart kid.”
That mindset could pay dividends during the pre-draft process, where teams will be digging deep into player interviews, film sessions, and chalkboard breakdowns. Kennedy expects Mendoza to impress in those settings just as much as he has on the field.
“I think everybody’s going to be really thrilled with his football knowledge when he does his draft interviews,” Kennedy said. “I think he’s just a good kid and everybody’s really looking forward to bringing him into their facility.”
For a Raiders fan base that’s been through a rough year, the No. 1 pick brings more than just strategic options-it brings hope. After years of inconsistency at the quarterback position and a coaching carousel that’s left the team without a clear identity, this is a chance to start fresh.
“Number one pick creates a lot of hype and a lot of hope for the fan base,” Kennedy said. “You control your own destiny.
The Raiders are on the clock now. I think they’re ready to go.
I think they’re ready to take a quarterback.”
There’s still a long way to go before draft night, but if early signals mean anything, the Raiders may have already found their guy-and his name is Fernando Mendoza.