Las Vegas Raiders select QB Fernando Mendoza with first overall pick

With the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders have selected Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Apr 23, 2026, 5:13 PM

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Watch: Is Fernando Mendoza Pushing For The Starting Spot? | 20 mins

With the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

It’s a selection that was highly anticipated right when the Radiers ended their 2025 season with a league-worst 3-14 record and therefore earned the first overall pick.

Mendoza led Indiana to one of the better underdog National Championships, winning the Heisman trophy and All-American honors on the way.

The 6’4 quarterback threw 41 touchdowns and 3,535 yards in 16 total games played with the Hoosiers. Prior to joining Indiana, he spent two seasons as the starter for the California Bears.

No. 1 pick is in: #Raiders have selected Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, per sources. pic.twitter.com/rmShuTfUwx

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 24, 2026

For the Raiders, it’s unclear whether Mendoza will be their day one starter behind center. Geno Smith, their QB1 last season, was traded to the New York Jets this offseason, and free agent veteran QB Kirk Cousins inked a five-year, $172 million deal with Las Vegas.

That number is slightly misleading, as it’s structured as a one-year, $11.3 million guarantee with club options afterward. Allowing a rookie quarterback to start behind a veteran, like Cousins, has become commonplace with how Kansas City allowed Patrick Mahomes to play behind Alex Smith for a season before taking over the job.

But, no doubt that the Raiders are hoping they have found their franchise quarterback, something they’ve been lacking since Derek Carr left in 2021 after a nine-year tenure with the organization.

Las Vegas used plenty of their open cap space to fill voids with players such as G Spencer Buford, LB Sengun Olubi, FB Connor Heyward, WR Dareke Young, LB Quay Walker, DE Kwity Paye, WR Jalen Nailor, C Tyler Linderbaum, LB Nakobe Dean, and K Matt Gay.

Of those, the largest signings were Cousins, Lindenbaum (three years, $81 million), Paye (three years, $48 million), Walker (three years, $40.5 million), Dean (three years, $36 million), and Nailor (three years, $35 million).

That should allow Mendoza to step into a more complete Las Vegas roster. Even if Cousins starts over him initially, Mendoza’s addition via the draft is their biggest offseason addition.