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Raiders take Mendoza with first pick of NFL Draft
TL;DR
The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner, led Indiana to their first national championship last season.
Key points
- Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza first overall
- Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship
- He is the third player to achieve this draft status
- New York Jets picked David Bailey second overall
- Mendoza opted to celebrate with family in Miami
Mentioned in this story
Fernando MendozaLas Vegas RaidersNew York Jets
NFL DraftHeisman TrophyNational Championship
The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 22-year-old was the overwhelming favourite for the honour, having been named the best player in college football last season, when he led Indiana to their first national championship.
He becomes just the third player to be the Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year, after Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020).
Mendoza did not attend the start of the three-day event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as he opted to share the moment with his family at home in Miami.
The strongest area in this year's draft class was thought to be the defensive front and the New York Jets took pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick.
Yet the next two picks were both offensive players, with the Arizona Cardinals selecting running back Jeremiyah Love before the Tennessee Titans sprang a surprise by taking wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The New York Giants had two of the first 10 picks and bolstered on each side of the ball, taking pass rusher Arvell Reese at five and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at 10.
Mauigoa grew up in American Samoa and the 20-year-old paid homage to his homeland with a collage on the back of his suit jacket.
"I never thought I'd be here," he said. "If I can do it, you can do it."
Image caption,
Jeremiyah Love (left) and Colton Hood (centre) wore custom-made suits while Francis Mauigoa (right) celebrated his American Samoan heritage
The Kansas City Chiefs are keen to rebuild after missing out on the play-offs for the first time since the 2014 season and traded up from the ninth pick to sixth to take cornerback Mansoor Delane.
"They weren't really on me too much in this process," said Delane. "But they said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneaky move, and they made the best move of the draft so I'm excited."
The Dallas Cowboys moved up one spot to claim safety Caleb Downs at 11 while the Los Angeles Rams pulled off a shock by taking Ty Simpson.
The former Alabama quarterback was seen as a potential first-round selection but not as early as the 13th pick.
Q&A
Who was the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
What achievements did Fernando Mendoza have before being drafted?
Fernando Mendoza was named the best player in college football, won the Heisman Trophy, and led Indiana to their first national championship.
Which team selected David Bailey in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New York Jets selected pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What is significant about Mendoza's draft status?
Fernando Mendoza is only the third player to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and be the first overall draft pick in the same year.
