The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to use it on Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza. But what if they simply don't?
That's the question that was asked of Mendoza at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. He was asked by Raiders reporter Mitchell Renz what he might say to a team - any team - that passes on him.
Mendoza took the question in stride, declaring that there would be "no hard feelings" and then invoked Tom Brady a little bit by remarking that he'd be just as grateful to go 199th overall (like Brady was) as No. 1 overall.
"Nothing. ... There’d be no hard feelings. … I’m just grateful for whatever team drafts me whether it’s the No. 1 pick or the 199th pick.”
Mendoza to the Raiders
There's no doubt that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick though and even less doubt that it'll be the Raiders who take him. The Raiders have done just about everything in their power to pave the way for Mendoza to be the guy.
For starters, the Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as their new head coach. Kubiak is renown for being a top developer of young QBs and recently coached Sam Darnold to Super Bowl glory. The team has further made it clear that priority No. 1 is developing QBs by naming longtime QBs coaches Mike McCoy and Andrew Janocko as their assistant head coach and offensive coordinator respectively.
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Throw in the fact that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is expected to play a larger role in Mendoza's development and you have a recipe for an experience that is tailor-made for Mendoza to be in the best position to play his best football.
At this point, Fernando Mendoza's ability to succeed in Las Vegas is going to come down to two things: The supporting cast he has on the field and his ability to make the jump from college to the pros.
Will Mendoza be the next great QB in the NFL?