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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders are selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and NFL insider Jason La Canfora doubled down, saying the No. 1 pick is “virtually unattainable.”
“The Las Vegas Raiders are determined to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, rebuffing all trade offers,” Canfora wrote. “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.”
The Raiders, after a disappointing 3-14 record, now head into this offseason with the second-most cap space in the NFL at $91.5 million (according to OvertheCap.com), and the top selection, where they’ll inevitably take Mendoza.
That said, NFL draft lead analyst Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and shared his thoughts on Mendoza likely heading to Las Vegas.
Mel Kiper Jr.: “Raiders Get a ‘Guaranteed Star’ in Fernando Mendoza
Kiper Jr. believes the Raiders are getting a guaranteed star in Mendoza:
“To say he’s [Fernando Mendoza] not the best player in this draft…I don’t know who’s better. They’re [Raiders] getting a guaranteed star at the quarterback position, which is the most important position in any sport in the world. Think about how lucky they are. Sometimes you have the number one pick. There’s no quarterback!”
Now, there’s been an argument that the Raiders aren’t ready to bring in a QB like Mendoza, especially with all the holes they have on offense and how young the team is; however, Kiper Jr. quickly shot down that idea.
“Well, teams picking first are usually aren’t ready to win right away anyway, that’s why they’re picking first. To go back to when Peyton [Manning], back to Joe Burrow going to the Bengals. Remember, ‘Oh, you don’t want to go to the Bengals…’ Burrow’s been to a Super Bowl already. Almost won one. You think about Trevor Lawrence going to Jacksonville, now Trevor’s getting up there with the best in the business. So for me, nah you just gotta build around him.”
And guess what? Las Vegas also has that $91.5 million in available cap that was mentioned earlier. Use the bulk of that on revamping the offensive line, and with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty already in town, the Raiders are going to have something special on offense.
Kiper Jr. Comments on Mendoza as a Prospect
More than anything, the Raiders should be ecstatic about what they’re getting in Mendoza, and Kiper Jr. listed all the tangibles that back up that claim.
“When you have the mindset, the smarts, the instincts and the intelligence and the arm and the mobility. Even though he’s not gonna run like Lamar and Josh Allen, he can still beat you with your legs. When you need a first down on third-and-eight to a frustrated defense he can do that. He’s pinpoint accurate. When I see late in plays, guys panic, they force a throw, they’re inaccurate, they take a sack, they don’t throw it away. Everything late in play is a critical moments Rich, he [Mendoza] did perfectly.”
Mendoza checks all the boxes. But what stands out from him that will lead to him having a long career is his character. He’s determined and willing to work on his weaknesses, and that should have Raiders fans riled up.
The Raiders are getting a good one. Now it’s time for general manager John Spytek to make sure Mendoza is stepping into an environment where he’s set up for success from Day 1.
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