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2026 Nfl Mock Draft Fernando Mendoza Lands In Las Vegas Jets Start

Bonisiwe Shabane
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2026 nfl mock draft fernando mendoza lands in las vegas jets start

The Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock and the first 18 slots for the 2026 NFL draft are set. The Jets follow the Raiders, and both teams are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore are the top two quarterbacks in this class (as of now), with Alabama’s Ty Simpson also likely to garner consideration in the first round. My best guess is Simpson returns to school for more seasoning. He may even transfer to Tennessee, which is closer to home and was his original plan before Nick Saban came calling for the Crimson Tide in early 2021. I’m also thinking this means Moore ends up declaring after the Ducks’ season ends, considering he’s almost guaranteed to be selected within the first two picks.

The 2026 NFL Draft order is now set for the non-playoff teams at the end of the 2025 regular season. Outside of the Falcons and Colts, who have traded their first-round picks, 16 teams know for sure when they are picking first on April 23. From the growing obvious choice at the top based on need and talent to the teams who just missed the postseason, here's the latest look at Sporting News' projections also with the College Football... MORE: Ranking NFL playoff teams 1-14 based on Super Bowl 60 chances Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds) The Las Vegas Raiders finally catch a break.

While the Browns were complicating things for the Steelers in their quest to wrap up the AFC North in Week 17 -- and, in the process, realistically falling out of range for the top... That result puts Las Vegas in pole position to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. There will be debate about whether Mendoza is worth the top pick (he is) or whether other quarterbacks could challenge him for QB1 (they can in theory, but Mendoza is the surest thing as... Either way, a year after passing on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart at No. 6 in favor of running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have no choice but to draft a quarterback this spring. After that, it's worth watching how the rest of the class shakes out.

A long list of quarterbacks has already opted to return to school in 2026 -- either staying put or entering the transfer portal -- which could push QB-needy teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Browns,... In this mock, there are no trades, but three quarterbacks come off the board in the top five, leaving the Browns -- who own two first-round picks in 2026 -- on the outside looking... Instead, Cleveland addresses wide receiver and offensive line, signaling a commitment to the two rookie quarterbacks it drafted last spring, at least for now. It also means the Cardinals, picking fifth, land Simpson as QB3 in the class -- the third time since 2018 that Arizona has used a high first-round pick on a franchise quarterback. As division titles are decided and playoff seeding is finalized, the NFL inches closer to draft season. With Week 17 in the books, we’re just one week away from the order of picks 1-18 being finalized.

On the contrary, bowls and college football playoff games are underway, making now a great time to get to know emerging prospects and see where familiar faces land. In my 2.0 mock, I took a deeper dive into each team’s situation and the factors that could influence the pick, which is now ready for you to review below. After losing 34-10 to the struggling New York Giants, the Raiders jumped them for the honor of selecting first overall. In previous mocks, many slotted in Oregon quarterback Dante Moore at No. 2; however, Mendoza is now available. His big-stage poise, along with polished mechanics and anticipation, makes this selection effortless.

If given the right pieces and coaching staff, Mendoza could go head-to-head with AFC West foes Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix down the line. Reese has emerged as a blue-chip prospect playing under former NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. While splitting time between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, he’s shown elite physical skills, allowing him to generate 6.5 sacks despite limited pass-rushing snaps. The Las Vegas Raiders finally catch a break. While the Browns were complicating things for the Steelers in their quest to wrap up the AFC North in Week 17 -- and, in the process, realistically falling out of range for the top... That result puts Las Vegas in pole position to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

There will be debate about whether Mendoza is worth the top pick (he is) or whether other quarterbacks could challenge him for QB1 (they can in theory, but Mendoza is the surest thing as... Either way, a year after passing on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart at No. 6 in favor of running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have no choice but to draft a quarterback this spring. After that, it's worth watching how the rest of the class shakes out. A long list of quarterbacks has already opted to return to school in 2026 -- either staying put or entering the transfer portal -- which could push QB-needy teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Browns,... In this mock, there are no trades, but three quarterbacks come off the board in the top five, leaving the Browns -- who own two first-round picks in 2026 -- on the outside looking...

Instead, Cleveland addresses wide receiver and offensive line, signaling a commitment to the two rookie quarterbacks it drafted last spring, at least for now. It also means the Cardinals, picking fifth, land Simpson as QB3 in the class -- the third time since 2018 that Arizona has used a high first-round pick on a franchise quarterback. The Las Vegas Raiders finally catch a break. While the Browns were complicating things for the Steelers in their quest to wrap up the AFC North in Week 17 -- and, in the process, realistically falling out of range for the top... That result puts Las Vegas in pole position to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. There will be debate about whether Mendoza is worth the top pick (he is) or whether other quarterbacks could challenge him for QB1 (they can in theory, but Mendoza is the surest thing as...

Either way, a year after passing on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart at No. 6 in favor of running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have no choice but to draft a quarterback this spring. After that, it's worth watching how the rest of the class shakes out. A long list of quarterbacks has already opted to return to school in 2026 -- either staying put or entering the transfer portal -- which could push QB-needy teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Browns,... In this mock, there are no trades, but three quarterbacks come off the board in the top five, leaving the Browns -- who own two first-round picks in 2026 -- on the outside looking... Instead, Cleveland addresses wide receiver and offensive line, signaling a commitment to the two rookie quarterbacks it drafted last spring, at least for now.

It also means the Cardinals, picking fifth, land Simpson as QB3 in the class -- the third time since 2018 that Arizona has used a high first-round pick on a franchise quarterback. The 2025 NFL regular season is in the books! That means 18 teams are looking forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, among other notable offseason events. Who should your team target? We take our latest shots right here. In this mock draft, Charles McDonald makes the odd-numbered picks, and Nate Tice makes the even.

Draft order via Tankathon. More 2026 NFL mock drafts: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 The Raiders need a quarterback. With the transfer policy and NIL revenue encouraging players to maximize their college eligibility, the 2026 NFL Draft lacks the bonanza of high-end talent we’ve seen in previous years. This is an automated post onto our collaborative platform by Locked On NFL Draft from YouTube If the video doesn't load/isn't available, you can watch HERE on YouTube Find out how you can earn by sharing this content!

Key conversations center on how the Raiders’ QB pick fits the organization’s culture, intriguing choices like Jeremiyah Love boosting the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, and why Jordyn Tyson could transform the New Orleans Saints’... Which rookie will have the biggest Year 1 impact? Get insight into the most underrated, surprising, and strategic draft picks—and what they mean for each franchise’s path forward in the NFL. 0:00 Intro & Mock Draft Breakdown 1:16 Top 10 Picks Recap 2:17 Raiders Select Fernando Mendoza 3:59 Franchise-Altering No. 1 Pick 5:30 Shadur Sanders, Browns & Weapon Upgrades 8:33 Cardinals Edge Rusher Pick Explained 13:11 Most Interesting Top 10 Picks Discussion 14:07 Caleb Downs to Commanders Analysis 16:02 Commanders’ Defensive Needs 18:03 Chiefs... There are only a few weeks left in what’s been a chaotic and unpredictable NFL regular season.

As the playoff picture comes into sharper focus, a growing number of teams have already been forced to pivot toward the NFL Draft — a list that now, astonishingly, includes the Kansas City Chiefs. Using the updated draft order, here’s how the first round could shape up when April rolls around. Projected trade: New York Giants send No. 1 overall pick to New York Jets for No. 5 pick, No. 37 pick, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

The Jets package their No. 7 overall pick, one of their three first-round selections in 2027 and a pair of second-round picks to move up and secure a potential franchise quarterback in Mendoza. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner currently ranks fifth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF grade (90.5), while his 33 passing touchdowns lead the nation. He draws comparisons to Jared Goff — a quarterback this Jets coaching staff knows well, with several members having previously worked with Goff in Detroit. On The McShay Show, renowned draft analyst Todd McShay released his latest mock draft, predicting the Jets will use the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.

McShay projected the Las Vegas Raiders to select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the first overall pick, leaving the Jets in position to land Mendoza. Widely viewed as the top prospect on most draft boards, Mendoza slipping to New York would represent an ideal scenario for the franchise. Although McShay projects Moore to be the first overall selection, he had plenty of praise for Mendoza. “I love a guy who can run, I love a guy who has a lot of juice on the ball, and I love a guy who’s tough as [expletive] nails.” McShay also highlighted Mendoza’s development this season at Indiana after transferring from California.

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