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HENDERSON, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 10: General manager John Spytek of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference introducing Klint Kubiak as the team’s head coach at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on February 10, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Nothing is ever certain in the NFL, and there’s still some speculation around what the Las Vegas Raiders will do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
FS1’s Danny Parkins believes the Raiders should follow the path the Chicago Bears took when they had the first pick back in 2024, saying, “Look at what the Bears got when they traded the No. 1 overall pick for the draft rights to Bryce Young. [Chicago] got a Pro Bowl/All-Pro caliber right tackle. They got a starting corner. They ended up getting the first pick in the draft in Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III, who looks like he could be a No. 1 wide receiver. It was a legitimate heist for the Bears.”
Despite this, NFL insider Jason La Canfora made an assertive claim regarding the Raiders’ plans with the No. 1 pick, saying that not only will they draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but other teams view the pick as “virtually unattainable.”
Raiders Draft Plans Don’t Include Any Surprises
In his article, Canfora goes into detail on how the Raiders feel about the No. 1 overall pick and their plan.
“The Las Vegas Raiders are determined to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, rebuffing all trade offers. The team sees Mendoza as the top prospect and plans to pair him with rookie head coach Klint Kubiak. Other teams are aware that the Raiders have no intention of giving up the pick, as securing a franchise quarterback is a top priority for new minority owner Tom Brady.”
Canfora also added some insight from several unnamed general managers.
“You aren’t getting that pick from Brady,” one NFL GM said. “It’s not for sale. Mendoza is their guy. It’s like when (Bengals owner) Mike Brown had the first pick and (Joe) Burrow was coming out. They weren’t going to move the pick. Same thing here.”
“Is somebody going to throw three ones (first-round picks) at them to draft the kid from Indiana? That’s not going to happen,” another GM said. “They’re drafting the quarterback.”
Unless something drastic happens, don’t expect the Raiders to trade out of the No. 1 spot.
Klint Kubiak Comments on Fernando Mendoza
Kubiak gave his initial thoughts on Mendoza during his introductory press conference.
“My exposure is very limited. I saw him play in the National Championship game. I saw the interviews he gave after those games, and how team-oriented he is. I look forward to getting to know the player better. But obviously, he’s a really talented guy with a bright future, and we will see where he ends up. But we have got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time comes.”
It’s ok, Klint. Everyone knows that the Raiders want to draft Mendoza.
How could you not want to draft him? He has the heart, the passion, and the drive to be great. Mendoza’s 79.2% adjusted completion percentage also ranked second in the country last season, and he was phenomenal in the red zone with 27 touchdowns without an interception.
The Raiders must take the necessary steps through free agency and the draft to ensure Mendoza is set up for success from Day 1.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. More about Isaac Zuniga
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