With the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 17 loss to the New York Giants, the team now controls the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They still need to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 to guarantee getting the top pick, but the odds are in their favor.
Geno Smith was terrible yet again in the Giants loss, so the Raiders will almost certainly target a quarterback with the top pick. The franchise hasn’t had the No. 1 pick since 2007, which was also the last time they used a first-round pick on a quarterback.
The Raiders’ need at the position is obvious, and luckily, there’s a likely prospect worth using the No. 1 pick on in this year’s class. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports put together a new mock draft following the Raiders taking control of the No. 1 pick.
He projects Las Vegas to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“Mendoza is a poised, accurate passer who has plus arm talent, consistently delivering catchable balls on time and in rhythm and excelling on layered second-level routes,” Wilson wrote. “He shows NFL-level field vision and coverage recognition, consistently ripping throws with anticipation. While not a true creator, Mendoza navigates collapsing pockets effectively and can make accurate off-platform throws, showing a calm, efficient style reminiscent of Jared Goff.”
Can Mendoza Be the Raiders’ Savior?
Mendoza has had a meteoric rise this season at Indiana. He was considered an intriguing player to watch this year after he transferred from California, but very few could’ve foreseen his ascension to Heisman Trophy-winner.
He has been the best quarterback in the country. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, he has the size a team wants to see from a quarterback. He also has a strong arm and completed 71.5% of his passes this season.
Mendoza has also proven to be a very strong leader whom teammates respect. That might be the most important trait a young quarterback can have. Mendoza may not have the dynamic playmaking ability of previous No. 1 picks like Caleb Williams or Cam Ward, but he’s the kind of consistent and mature player the Raiders need at the quarterback position.
What About Dante Moore?
It appears that the only quarterback who could also be in the running for the No. 1 pick is Oregon’s Dante Moore. He doesn’t have as much experience as Mendoza, but he’s got more upside.
Now, there’s a chance that Moore decides to return to college for another season, but if he has a chance to be a top-five pick, it’s hard to see him turning that down. That said, Mendoza seems to be a better fit for the Raiders.
They are going to need a quarterback who can step in immediately and lead the offense. Moore might be able to do that, but there are fewer question marks with Mendoza. Now, if the Raiders manage to beat the Chiefs in Week 18 and fall to the No. 2 pick, they likely wouldn’t be too sad about taking Moore. He has big-time potential and is a better athlete than Mendoza. The Raiders are in a solid spot to find a quarterback of the future for the first time in a long time.
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