University of Kwazulu-Natal

Nfl Mock Draft 2026 Raiders Go For Fernando Mendoza Browns Saints

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
nfl mock draft 2026 raiders go for fernando mendoza browns saints

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) 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 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 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. With the 2025 NFL regular season now officially in the books, the top of the order of the 2026 draft is locked into place.

For fans of the teams that failed to book a postseason trip, the focus shifts to the future—and the offseason moves that could change their teams’ fortunes. The draft is the best way for bad teams to rebuild. The draft represents hope. Every player that’s picked in the first round could be the catalyst of a new era of success for the team that takes him. It’s still really early in the draft process, and a handful of the biggest names in draft conversations right now could still decide to return to school for another year. But that’s not going to stop me from building my first mock draft of the season.

Using the current draft order via Tankathon, let’s dig into what the first round could look like. The Geno Smith experiment has not gone as the Raiders had hoped, leaving Las Vegas with a massive need at the most important position in sports. The team addresses that hole here, taking a polished and steely signal caller in Mendoza. The Hoosiers star and Heisman winner is an accurate rhythm passer who helped elevate the Indiana football program to new heights. The Raiders surely hope that Mendoza can do that with their franchise as well. The Jets haven’t exactly had the best luck at picking quarterbacks for, well, forever, but that doesn’t mean they should stop trying.

New York grabs a talented passer here in Moore, who throws with good zip and accuracy both from the pocket and on the run. Moore has a limited number of college starts (19 between his time at Oregon and UCLA), but he’s an ascending playmaker with the tools to develop into a franchise quarterback. The Cardinals have holes all over the roster, so they can go in pretty much any direction with this pick. They make a prudent choice in bolstering the offensive line here, grabbing a potential bookend tackle in Fano to pair with 2023 first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr. Fano has experience starting at both tackle spots, but Arizona could drop him on the right side from day one. There’s no telling what the Cardinals will do at quarterback going forward, but whatever path they take, it’ll help to have some quality blocking up front.

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. Fernando Mendoza and top-seeded Indiana will take on Alabama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Michael Reaves / Getty Images The race for the NFL’s worst record has a firm leader heading into the final lap. At 2-14 with one game left (versus the Chiefs), the Raiders are the current favorites to land the No. 1 pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Four three-win teams remain right behind Las Vegas: the Giants (versus Dallas in Week 18), Jets (at Buffalo), Titans (at Jacksonville) and Cardinals (at Rams). While we wait for the final non-playoff teams to settle into place, here’s a look at how the first 18 picks of this year’s draft — everything up until the postseason cutline — could... Once again, the Raiders need an awful lot, but they’ve kicked the QB can down the road long enough.

People Also Search

The 2026 NFL Draft Order Is Now Set For The

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' projec...

That Said, There Are Plenty Of Future NFL Starters —

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 thei...

And With The Player Pool Clarifying Each Day As The

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 imp...

The Las Vegas Raiders Finally Catch A Break. While The

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 whe...

After That, It's Worth Watching How The Rest Of The

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 fi...