HENDERSON, Nev.—The sun hadn’t even set on the Las Vegas valley when National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped to the podium at exactly 5:13 PM PT to announce that the Las Vegas Raiders had selected their future franchise quarterback (QB) in Fernando Mendoza.

It was the worst-kept secret in the NFL Draft , but despite the entire world knowing it was coming, it doesn’t diminish the enormity of the pick.

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A New Day

Mendoza’s journey has a wake of varying grades that he chose to ignore on his way to becoming the number one overall pick.…