Fernando Mendoza has most likely secured his place as the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft even more the event takes place.
The Indiana star is set to join the Raiders and grow under Tom Brady’s guidance in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Mendoza was among the best players in the 2025 college football season and he ended the year with not just the Heisman Trophy but also led the Hoosiers to a national championship.
During a conversation on “Up and Adams” on Tuesday, Mel Kiper Jr. said he believes Mendoza would be a great fit for the Raiders:
“Fernando Mendoza always talks about one thing, Kay. He probably mentioned it. I’m going to try to crack the code. He is obsessed with this game. He’s got a lot of Peyton Manning in him. Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison used to be out there throwing, catching all day, every day, hours and hours and hours.
“And Fernando Mendoza will be that kind of guy. He’s going to put a lot of pressure on everybody else in that locker room, on that football team, to be able to keep up with him. So for me, grade-wise, he was Eli Manning, Matt Ryan. He was somewhere where Peyton and Eli and Matt are in that realm in terms of grade and the kind of player we expect him to be. And guess what? They have some pieces around him already.”
Fernando Mendoza Reveals Reason for Not Attending 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
Fernando Mendoza is set to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, an honor only a few players get to experience in their career. However, the Indiana star has decided to not be there to attend the event in Pittsburgh.
The Hoosiers star quarterback shared that he wants to be around his friends and family on his big day.
”I’m really excited to see all the guys or most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza told Rich Eisen that while being in Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and a venue, his mom wanted to do it at home, which is a lot easier for the family.
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