The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are widely expected to use it on Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. But the Raiders are far from the only QB-needy team and one ESPN NFL insider believes that another could be ready to swoop in and trade up to that coveted top spot.
Appearing on First Take, NFL insider Peter Schrager remarked that it would be very fun to see the New York Jets trade up from No. 2 to No. 1 to take Mendoza. He believes that Mendoza would be perfect for the Jets and that the Jets have the resources to make a trade happen.
“I love this trade for the Jets,” Schrager said. “I think Mendoza would be an incredible piece for the Jets to build around based on where their franchise has been and where they want to go…You have draft picks to spend.
“I look at Mendoza, the skill, the talent, we know that. That’s fine. Whether you love him and he’s Andrew Luck, or you think he’s solid and he’s Matt Ryan, let’s put that aside. Demeanor, personality, there is nobody, maybe more suited for what this team needs in this market.”
Fun, but impossible
As creative as the idea may be for Schrager, it's also unrealistic. For starters, there has never been a trade for the No. 1 overall pick from the No. 2 overall pick holder in the modern NFL Draft era. Second, Mendoza isn't just the top quarterback on the board, he's the only one with a consensus first-round grade.
As much as the Jets need a quarterback the Raiders need one too. They're not going to trade away from the only QB worthy of being a top-five pick even if they could get a king's ransom of draft picks and players as part of the bargain. A franchise QB is simply that valuable.
Of course, NFL fans had plenty of fun with the idea:
"It’s an easy argument. But the Jets would screw him up," one user remarked.
"Please please do that Jets. Pats Nation would love that move," another joked.
"Sold.. If the Raiders are offered 3 1st round picks.. This is a no brainer," a third declared.
"Vegas should draft Mendoza but.... They could trade the 1st the to Jets, trade Crosby, draft Bain and Simpson. It worked for the Texans, and may work for the Raiders. They could also sign Cousins to let Simpson sit."
There's no limit to what kind of intrigue a Jets trade with the Raiders for Fernando Mendoza might bring. Ultimately, it's just gossip though and nothing will come from it.
Don't buy a custom-made Mendoza-Jets jersey thinking that something will happen.