2026 Nfl Mock Draft With Raiders Getting Fernando Mendoza Then What

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 9, 2026, 3:05 PM

2026 nfl mock draft with raiders getting fernando mendoza then what

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. That said, there are plenty of future NFL starters — and even stars — at every position available. Like always, the organizations whose scouting and coaching departments are aligned will likely improve their rosters the most with their selections between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. But therein lies the cold reality. Many of the teams whose seasons just ended are facing massive decisions within their coaching and scouting departments. The Falcons just dismissed their head coach and general manager and personnel changes are expected elsewhere in the coming days, which will cause ripple effects throughout the league.

There's still much to sort out, but the conclusion of the NFL’s regular season Sunday night locked in the selection order for the first 18 picks of the draft. And with the player pool clarifying each day as the college season finishes, we are now on the cusp of "draft season." With that, here's our latest 2026 mock draft. It promises to be a fascinating offseason in Las Vegas, where Geno Smith's future is up in the air after head coach Pete Carroll was fired. Regardless of whether the Raiders bring back Smith, getting a fresh face at the game’s most important position is critical to keeping the fan base believing. Mendoza has looked every bit the No. 1 overall pick in earning the Heisman Trophy and guiding Indiana to a possible national championship.

Mendoza’s physical traits — a prototypical frame, lightning-quick release, pocket mobility and accuracy to all levels of the field — warrant a first round selection, but it's his decision-making and poise that has turned... 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)

Dante Moore has completed a combined 45 of 60 passes for 547 yards in Oregon's two Playoff wins. Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Several potential top-20 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft are still busy with the College Football Playoff, so NFL front offices will have to wait a little longer to find exactly who’s going to... Will Oregon QB Dante Moore and Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza join the ’26 draft class? (TCU quarterback Josh Hoover announcing his transfer to Indiana probably gives us a hint at the latter’s decision.) Are both of Miami’s standout underclassmen, Francis Mauigoa and Rueben Bain Jr., going to take the...

Could Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss shake up the entire quarterback group? We’ll get all of those answers in the coming weeks. With the NFL regular season coming to an end in dramatic fashion Sunday night, though, let’s take a look at how Round 1 could play out: It’s time for Tom Brady and company to rip the cord on a quarterback. So long as he declares, Moore would be an exciting choice. The 20-year-old QB is light on experience, but his blend of football IQ, athletic instinct, poise and arm talent is beyond his years.

He has the right mindset for a challenge like this and offers a skill set worth investing in. 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 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.

The 2026 NFL Draft is a good time to be a team in need of pass rushing help. If you're looking for a quarterback, well, you'd better have a pretty great pick (or two). Next year's crop of pro prospects is loaded with defensive stars, wideouts and one elite running back. The quarterbacks, however, are a top-heavy field led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza (good!), toolsy Oregon deep ball savant Dante Moore (useful!) and Alabama's Ty Simpson (interesting in a way that might not... Thus, teams in need of passing help who are merely bad and not terrible might be looking at an expensive trade just for the right to draft a quarterback with no guarantee of panning... Since the 2025 NFL Draft order remains in flux and we have no idea what free agency holds for each franchise, we're eschewing theoretical trades across this theoretical exercise.

FTW's bowl season NFL mock draft remains a vague vision of what could be. It also helps us understand a little better which prospects could fill certain holes across the first 32 picks in April. Draft order is the inverse of our most recent FTW power rankings and, since we've still got three weeks left in the regular season, subject to change. Let's start at the top with a team entirely capable of sinking to the top spot in the draft. Geno Smith can stick around as a mentor for only $8 million more than his dead cap number. He'd be an asset for another accurate late bloomer behind center -- like Smith, Mendoza's elite downfield accuracy means he'll dazzle when it comes to advanced stats like completion percentage over expected (CPOE).

He balances pinpoint throws with strong, quick decision making and enough athleticism to keep defenses wary of his run game. The regular season has come to a close, the playoff field is set, and the draft order for every non-playoff team is now official. For draft fans, that’s the real starting line. Here’s a brand-new first-round 2026 mock draft built off the finalized order. As you follow along, you can explore Trevor Sikkema’s full top-300 big board inside the PFF Big Board Tool, giving you every grade and data point you need on the class. Then build out your own rankings with the fully customizable Big Board Builder or run endless draft scenarios in the Mock Draft Simulator.

Through the holidays, get 30% off a PFF+ subscription with code HOLIDAY30. The Raiders are officially on the clock, holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Geno Smith remains under contract for 2026, but Las Vegas cannot realistically enter next season with him as the unquestioned starter, especially with a partially or entirely new coaching staff likely coming to town.

2026 Nfl Mock Draft With Raiders Getting Fernando Mendoza Then What

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