The 2025 campaign did not go the way the Las Vegas Raiders were hoping for. After a busy offseason saw the team reunite head coach Pete Carroll with his former quarterback, Geno Smith, the Raiders proceeded to struggle mightily, and as a result, big changes are going to be made this offseason. Carroll has already been fired, and Smith almost certainly will not be starting under center come Week 1 next season.
The silver lining for Las Vegas is that its struggles earned it the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will presumably be used to select its quarterback of the future. In the eyes of many talent evaluators, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the top option at the position in the 2026 draft, and he recently shared a big announcement that will surely catch the Raiders’ attention.
Fernando Mendoza Declares for the 2026 NFL Draft
The Raiders took a flier last offseason by trading for Smith from the Seattle Seahawks and pairing him up with Carroll. This duo enjoyed some success together during their time in Seattle, but things didn’t go nearly as well this time around. Smith turned in an ugly season (302/448, 3,025 YDs, 19 TD, 17 INT) that could lead to his days as a starter in the NFL coming to an end.
With the No. 1 overall pick, Las Vegas is widely expected to select a quarterback and work on developing that player into a star. Mendoza has emerged as the top passer in this draft after winning the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship in his lone season with Indiana. In 16 games, Mendoza put up some big numbers (273/379, 3,535 YDS, 41 TD, 6 INT, 90 CAR, 276 YDS, 7 TD) that have Raiders fans hoping he can help get the team back on the right track.
There’s still a long way to go until Las Vegas is making the first pick of the upcoming draft, but it’d be a shock at this point if Mendoza doesn’t end up being its guy. On Friday morning, Mendoza took a big step towards getting selected by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick, as he officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!” Mendoza wrote in his latest Instagram post.
Is Fernando Mendoza the Answer at Quarterback for the Raiders?
GettyIndiana QB Fernando Mendoza.
After two seasons with the California Golden Bears, Mendoza announced himself to the world with Indiana in 2025. He’s not the flashiest quarterback prospect in recent memory, but he has a strong arm, an ability to read what defenses are showing him, and the poise that is required to win when the lights are shining at their brightest.
Even though Las Vegas labored through the 2025 season, it has some weapons on offense, like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, who would help support Mendoza as he adjusts to life in the NFL. The Raiders still have to select him, of course, but all signs are pointing to Mendoza being the first name off the board in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Raiders Predicted No. 1 Overall Pick Fernando Mendoza Makes Official Announcement on Future