1 month ago
The artifact astir Fernando Mendoza’s location successful Coral Gables, Florida was roped disconnected by early day connected Thursday and nan roast pig – a lechon asado to Cubans for illustration nan Mendozas – was successful nan Caja China each day.
No, Mendoza didn’t make it to Pittsburgh for nan 2026 NFL draft. But his family's draught statement successful South Florida was, by each accounts, epic.
And that’s nan measurement it should beryllium because it was befitting of Mendoza being selected by nan Las Vegas Raiders arsenic nan first wide prime of nan draft.
Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza speaks to nan media during nan College Football Playoff National Championship crippled media time astatine nan Miami Beach Convention Center successful Miami Beach, Fla., connected Jan. 17, 2026. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
"The past 5 period person been specified a blessing by God, I can't convey him enough," Mendoza said successful his first question and reply aft being selected. "I'm conscionable looking guardant to get to work, amended astatine nan adjacent level. College was fantastic. I'm truthful bless to person that career.
"But now I measurement into a awesome game, nan NFL, look guardant to proving and earning it each azygous day."
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Not bad for a kid who utilized to occasionally confess to family, friends and teammates, "I don't ideate myself a precocious draught pick."
That each changed erstwhile Mendoza transferred to Indiana University earlier nan 2025 season, and retired of that improbable assemblage shot powerfulness came nan improbable Heisman Trophy winner, nationalist title winning quarterback, and first prime successful nan draft.
The Raiders utilized only a infinitesimal aliases 2 of nan 8 allotted earlier turning successful their paper to nan NFL for Mendoza.
Only successful America.
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The Raiders judge successful Mendoza. But nan Raiders statement is rife pinch backmost misfires successful its caller history.
Indiana backmost Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during nan first half of nan College Football Playoff nationalist title crippled successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The nine signed Geno Smith to make them a contender past play nether coach Pete Carroll. Smith led nan NFL pinch 17 interceptions, Carroll was fired, and nan squad was truthful bad arsenic to "earn" nan first prime successful this draft.
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Before that, Gardner Minshew grounded arsenic a span backmost and Aidan O’Connell didn’t rather create into a dependable starter.
Before that, Jimmy Garoppolo signed arsenic a free supplier but was often injured and inconsistent erstwhile healthy. He started only six games successful 2023 and was released nan pursuing offseason.
Before that, it was Derek Carr, mostly functional during his time, getting benched successful 2022 and yet released.
You get nan point. It's been awhile since Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett aliases moreover Rich Gannon won a Super Bowl for nan franchise.
Mendoza is expected to move that sad communicative around. But it won’t needfully beryllium correct away. The Raiders signed seasoned Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason arsenic a span starter while Mendoza learns and develops.
The rookie will person immoderate time. But not forever.
A person look wrong nan NFL Draft Theater from extracurricular Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pa., connected April 22, 2026. (IMAGN / Beaver County Times)
He’s been drafted to lift a bequest franchise backmost to glory. But that won't beryllium an easy duty because different franchises will get a ballot whether it happens.
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Mendoza goes to nan AFC West wherever it is intolerable to triumph without outstanding backmost play.
The Kansas City Chiefs person owned nan section since Patrick Mahomes became their starting backmost successful 2018. They won it 7 consecutive times until falling backmost past season.
The Denver Broncos won nan section past play because they person 1 of nan NFL’s rising quarterbacks successful Bo Nix, who came adjacent to a 4,000-yard play successful 2025.
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The Los Angeles Chargers made nan playoffs a play agone and Justin Herbert typically is among nan convention leaders successful passing yards (9th past year) and touchdown passes (tied for seventh).
Now nan Raiders reply pinch Fernando Mendoza – officially nan No. 1 prime successful nan 2026 draft.
Armando Salguero is OutKick's Senior NFL Writer.
