Tom Brady offers advice incoming NFL rookies, welcomes Fernando Mendoza after Raiders make him the top pick

For much than 2 twelve players, Thursday nighttime marks nan realization of their lifelong NFL dreams. By night’s end, 32 prospects will perceive their names called from nan NFL Draft shape successful Pittsburgh.

Seven-time Super Bowl victor and Las Vegas Raiders number proprietor Tom Brady reflected connected nan typical infinitesimal truthful galore young men were experiencing, while besides sharing a connection pinch nan league’s newest rookies.

"Congratulations to each nan rookies who are joining nan NFL this weekend," Brady wrote successful a station to X. "I dream you tin admit this typical moment… you’ve earned it done difficult work, discipline, and determination. You’ve made your family proud, on pinch everyone other connected your travel that has supported you. But this is conscionable nan beginning."

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Tom Brady looks connected earlier nan crippled betwixt nan Los Angeles Chargers and nan Washington Commanders astatine SoFi Stadium connected Oct. 5, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

Brady past emphasized nan situation ahead, urging rookies to attraction connected what comes next.

"When you aftermath up tomorrow morning, conscionable cognize that your profession will beryllium defined by what happens going forward. You’ll request to return everything you do to nan adjacent level successful bid to compete pinch nan world’s best."

The Las Vegas Raiders' first wide prime paper is displayed during Round One of nan 2026 NFL Draft astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, connected April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Brady wasn’t successful nan Raiders draught room, but he still had a connection for nan No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza: "Welcome to Las Vegas @fernandomendoza. Time to get to work. @Raiders."

The Raiders’ apical prime has a agelong measurement to spell to lucifer what nan New England Patriots recovered astatine No. 199 successful 2000 — nan spot wherever Brady was drafted.

Mendoza said Brady delivered a blunt connection during his charismatic sojourn pinch nan Raiders successful nan days starring up to nan draft.

Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza celebrates aft defeating nan Miami Hurricanes successful nan College Football Playoff National Championship crippled astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

"It was fantastic. He gave maine nan connection that he's going to push me, and he's not going to beryllium each lovey-dovey. And that if nan Raiders draught me, he's going to beryllium a mentor and wants to move into immoderate backmost nan Raiders person — whether it's me, whether they draught personification else."

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Other notable first-round moves included nan Kansas City Chiefs moving up to No. 6 and selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. A short clip later, nan Cowboys shook things up, trading up to No. 11 to prime Ohio State information Caleb Downs.

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