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Wilson S 2026 Nfl Mock Draft 4 0 Raiders Take Fernando Newslocker

Bonisiwe Shabane
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wilson s 2026 nfl mock draft 4 0 raiders take fernando newslocker

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.

Mendoza is the best one in the draft. Easy. He fits the profile of a top-10 pick with his ability to run the offense at a high level, strong arm talent and enough mobility to keep plays alive under duress. No one is confusing him for a Drake Maye- or Josh Allen-level athlete, but he’s not the stiff many have made him out to be. This is a fine and logical pick for the Raiders. It is still not 100% that Moore is declaring for this year’s draft, but in this exercise he has entered his name.

Moore has shown much improvement this season. He is accurate and can put the ball where he wants when kept clean. He’s a solid athlete and can create enough as a player, but he’s best when operating from the pocket and on plays he has spent time on. Moore could stand to add some bulk to his frame (listed at 6-foot-3, 206 pounds), but a strong finish to the season could encourage the Jets to take a chance as a player to... 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 mock draft by Ryan Wilson has the Las Vegas Raiders poised to secure the No.

1 overall pick, likely selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Browns, meanwhile, are at risk of missing out on top QBs after complicating matters for the Steelers through their recent performances. The Raiders are expected to finally address their quarterback needs after passing on prospects in previous drafts. With several quarterbacks returning to school, teams like the Jets, Cardinals, and Dolphins may look to trade up for talent like Dante Moore or Ty Simpson, while the Browns plan to bolster their wide... Ahead of the draft, expect discussions around the quarterback class to intensify, especially regarding potential trades. Teams needing new quarterbacks may attempt to move up, relying on the shifting dynamics of college player eligibility.

The Raiders will finalize their decision on Mendoza as their franchise quarterback, while teams like the Cardinals will strategize around their own quarterback needs. The Raiders are finally in a position to secure a promising quarterback with the top pick, likely ending their quarterback uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Browns’ focus away from adding another quarterback signals their long-term commitment to the current roster, influencing their draft strategy significantly. The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI © 2026 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

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...

Week 15 of the NFL season is nearly complete as the Dolphins and Steelers will clash on Monday Night Football to close out the week. The Playoff race is getting tighter than ever, as there are still 20 teams alive in the Playoff race. As teams start to clinch Playoff berths, other teams are starting to get eliminated, turning their attention to the offseason. The Kansas City Chiefs saw a nightmare unfold this weekend as their Playoff elimination meant nothing as Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. The Chiefs' season in 2026 is now in limbo, which changes a ton around the league. The biggest change in the race for the 1st overall pick came as the Commanders and Saints each picked up wins, shuffling them further down the draft board.

Everything appears to hinge on a Week 17 matchup between the Raiders and the Giants as both teams are riding 8-game losing streaks with hopes of picking 1st. The New York Giants continue to show that they're a bad football team, and landing the first overall pick would allow them to trade back with a quarterback-needy team to help the Giants fill... If the Giants do keep the 1st overall pick, landing a player of the caliber of Arvell Reese would help this defense mightily as they're the worst unit against the run in the NFL. The Raiders didn't give their fans anything to be excited about as they were blown out 31-0 against the Eagles. This team desperately needs to find a franchise quarterback, and they're luckily in a place where they can land the Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana star is a high-IQ player who can start instantly helping unlock Brock Bowers and the Raiders' other weapons.

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. By the time you reach Week 17 of the NFL season, just as many teams are eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency as they are thinking about the playoffs. Heck, even some playoff teams, already have one eye on the NFL Draft, knowing a Super Bowl run isn’t in the cards. But with the New York Giants currently holding the No. 1 overall pick, draft drama is already brewing as multiple teams position themselves to trade up for a quarterback. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns are the obvious options, as they should look to jump ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders.

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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...

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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 f...

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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, Clevelan...

Who Should Your Team Target? We Take Our Latest Shots

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.