With the Las Vegas Raiders all but securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team could potentially have a franchise-altering decision on their hands. It’s obvious the Raiders need a quarterback, and there are only two players at the position who could be worthy of the top pick.
Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza are both widely expected to be top-five draft picks if they declare for the draft. At first, it was expected that the Raiders would be all over Mendoza.
His skillset is reminiscent of Tom Brady, and he’s considered to be an elite leader, which is something a lot of young quarterbacks struggle with. However, Moore is considered the more gifted of the two quarterbacks with a higher upside.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that it is far too early to pencil in Mendoza as the Raiders’ pick in April.
“The Raiders, with their loss Sunday, are now positioned to get the top pick in the 2026 draft. But I’m not 100% convinced it’ll be Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza,” Breer wrote. “I will say it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he is, and he seems like a great kid, and one you can bet on. I’m just not sure, at this early juncture, whether he’ll go ahead of Oregon’s Dante Moore (should Moore turn down whatever Phil Knight’s offering him to stay in Eugene).”
Tom Brady to Be Involved With QB Decision
The Raiders have to feel good about their options if they do end up with the No. 1 pick and both of the top quarterbacks declare. They’d really be able to take months weighing their options.
The person at the center of the Raiders’ quarterback choice is going to be minority owner Tom Brady. The greatest quarterback of all time should be valuable when it comes to evaluating the position.
Breer gave some insight into what Brady might be looking for.
“I’d say Brady will be involved in decision-making on the quarterback, for sure,” Breer wrote.
“And I think he’d lean toward a quarterback who can win from the pocket. I don’t know quite enough yet to give you the full rundown on Mendoza and Moore, other than they’re both on the radar of teams picking high and with quarterback needs. I’m honestly not sure which of the two will go first. It’s too early for that. I have a ton of calls to make and work to do over the next few months, as usual.”
Mendoza Is Early Favorite to Go No. 1
Moore is certainly a tantalizing prospect. He’s big, has a good arm and is a bit more athletic than Mendoza. That said, it still feels like there’s a very good chance that he’ll return to Oregon.
Even if he doesn’t, Mendoza is still the favorite. He’s 6-foot-5, has a strong arm, is very accurate and is a proven winner. He’s also less of a question mark than Moore, as he’s made more starts in his college football career. Mendoza might not have the big-time athletic traits that many No. 1 picks have had in the past, but he’s everything a team wants from a franchise quarterback when it comes to intangibles.
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