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Post Week 18 Mock Draft Raiders Take Fernando Mendoza No 1 Overall

Bonisiwe Shabane
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post week 18 mock draft raiders take fernando mendoza no 1 overall

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. 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 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. 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’ loss this weekend to the New York Giants has put them in a prime position to select a quarterback prospect with the number one pick in the 2026 NFL draft. There will be quarterback talent at the top of draft for needy teams. Afterwards, we will see a run of defensive linemen and wide receivers boosting some of the league’s most barren rosters. What direction will your team go in the first round?

Let’s take a look at how the 2026 draft could play out. MORE: NFL insider predicts which player Raiders would pick No. 1 in 2026 draft With the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 17 loss to the New York Giants, the team now controls the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They still need to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 to guarantee getting the top pick, but the odds are in their favor.

Geno Smith was terrible yet again in the Giants loss, so the Raiders will almost certainly target a quarterback with the top pick. The franchise hasn’t had the No. 1 pick since 2007, which was also the last time they used a first-round pick on a quarterback. The Raiders’ need at the position is obvious, and luckily, there’s a likely prospect worth using the No. 1 pick on in this year’s class. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports put together a new mock draft following the Raiders taking control of the No.

1 pick. He projects Las Vegas to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. “Mendoza is a poised, accurate passer who has plus arm talent, consistently delivering catchable balls on time and in rhythm and excelling on layered second-level routes,” Wilson wrote. “He shows NFL-level field vision and coverage recognition, consistently ripping throws with anticipation. While not a true creator, Mendoza navigates collapsing pockets effectively and can make accurate off-platform throws, showing a calm, efficient style reminiscent of Jared Goff.” 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 are currently slated to possess the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft according to the real-time order.

The Raiders could clinch the top pick with a Week 18 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. It feels likely given they've dropped 10 consecutive contests. With the No. 1 pick within the Raiders' grasp, it's an opportune time to conduct a brand new three-round 2026 NFL mock draft using The Draft Network's MDM Simulator. The Raiders would be expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.

The Geno Smith trade backfired miserably and John Spytek should quickly move on from that mistake. The Hoosiers signal-caller recently won the Heisman Trophy and has been the best QB in college football this season. The defense requires dynamic players. The Raiders need to get younger and more athletic at linebacker. Devin White and Elandon Roberts are pending free agents and shouldn't be back. Anthony Hill Jr.

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