As expected, reigning Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft Day 1 on Thursday. Mendoza led Indiana to an unbeaten season, including beating the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship game.
Since 2011, as per the CBA, every draft pick has a predetermined formula tied to the salary cap. As a result, every rookie drafted in the first round on Thursday will receive a guaranteed four-year deal. The NFL’s salary cap has been increased to $301.2 million per team for the 2026 season, almost $20 million up from $279.2 million in 2025.
How Much Is Fernando Mendoza Getting Paid?
Fernando Mendoza is expected to sign a fully guaranteed four-year, $54.6 million contract, including a $36.1 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac. Apart from the four-year deal, the Raiders also hold the fifth-year option.
This would be a couple of more million than what David Bailey is slated to receive from the New York Jets for being the second overall pick. The guaranteed money reduces all the way to the 32nd pick, who will get $16.2 million.
Mendoza’s base rookie salary is around $885K, but most of his earnings come from a signing bonus and guaranteed contract structure. Therefore, Mendoza becomes an instant multi-millionaire the moment he signs.
Mendoza’s projected contract would exceed the $50 million in guaranteed money offered to Sam Bradford by the St. Louis Rams in 2010, after which the NFL brought on the rookie wage scale. Because of this, the 2011 first overall pick, Cam Newton, had to settle for just $22 million over four years. The reduction in rookies’ salaries was moved to add money to veterans’ pay in the NFL.
Ever since, the rookie wage scale has increased gradually, and it witnessed the biggest jump in 2025. Caleb Williams, the 2024 first overall pick, inked a $39.5 million contract. Meanwhile, Cam Ward, who was picked first overall last year, signed a $48.8 million contract, with a $32.2 million signing bonus.
As for Mendoza, he continued embracing himself as an underdog despite being picked first overall.
“I’m still the underdog,” Mendoza said. “I’m not 1 out of 32 quarterbacks at this moment.”
Now, his task is cut out. He has to help the struggling Raiders team, who finished with a 3-14 record last season. They have not been in the playoffs since 2021.
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