Raiders' expected No. 1 pick Mendoza won't be in Pittsburgh on draft day
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to throw a pass during the school's NFL football pro day Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. Photo by: AJ Mast / AP
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 1:14 p.m.
Fernando Mendoza won’t be in Pittsburgh when the Las Vegas Raiders call his name later this month in the NFL Draft.
The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, widely expected to go to the Raiders with the first overall pick, plans to skip the draft entirely, opting instead to celebrate the moment with family in Miami, according to reports.
That means when Roger Goodell steps to the podium to make it official, don’t expect the usual spectacle — the long walk to the stage, the commissioner’s signature bear hug, the sea of flashing cameras.
Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national championship, is in Henderson today making an official visit to the Raiders’ practice facility, per NFL Network.