Unless a team that doesn’t need a quarterback ends up with the No. 1 pick, it looks like Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders are currently the favorite to end up with the top big, and they have a massive need at quarterback.
Ever since the team moved on from Derek Carr, they’ve been cycling through many starters who haven’t worked out. Geno Smith was supposed to be a short-term answer at the position, but it’s looking like he’ll be one-and-done with the team.
Mendoza is going to be put under a microscope before the draft, but early signs are looking good for him. While Carr hasn’t done much film study on the young quarterback yet, he likes what he sees so far.
“He reminds me of Kirk Cousins,” Carr said on the “Home Grown” podcast. “Accurate, tall in the pocket. When you watch his interviews, he doesn’t miss a word that he’s trying to say … I feel like his brain moves at 1.5 speed, while we’re all at 1.0.”
The Cousins comparison won’t help Mendoza, but if he can prove that he’s more than just a old school pocket quarterback, he’s going to be the easy choice at No. 1.
Mendoza Has Cemented Himself as QB1
Mendoza spent last year with Cal, but transferred to Indiana in 2025. He had some hype coming into the college football season, but he has exceeded expectations.
He just won the Heisman Trophy Award, and according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, NFL teams think he is the No. 1 player in the draft.
“They said, going into the year, for the most part, people had him going in the second round, maybe top of the third. But right now, he’s clear-cut the top player in the draft. as far as if someone needs a quarterback,” Glazer said on “Fox NFL Sunday.” “He’s the top quarterback prospect out there.
“Everyone likes his leadership, poise in the pocket and he’s done such a great job to really elevate his status. A lot of teams said he’s the top player in this draft.”
Tom Brady Shares Thoughts on Mendoza
If the Raiders get the No. 1 pick and Mendoza is hoping to go there, the person he has to impress is minority owner Tom Brady. While his role with the franchise is still undefined, there’s no doubt he’ll have a big voice when the team commits to a franchise quarterback.
Luckily for Mendoza, it sounds like Brady has already taken notice of his game.
“I love everything about his game,” Brady said on “FOX NFL Sunday.” “Certainly, his leadership is what stands out to me. It’s his relatability to his teammates. He’s overcome a lot of things in his career. He’s a Miami kid, went to Cal and Indiana, going to a program that hasn’t won anything in forever. What he’s done this season was so impressive. I’m happy for him.”
It’s easy to see Brady falling in love with Mendoza, but until the Raiders know what they’re doing at head coach next year, it’s hard to know for sure which quarterback they might want.
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