Fernando Mendoza’s next mission might be his toughest yet: Try to turn Sin City into Win City.
The Las Vegas Raiders tabbed Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. The 22-year-old will be the centerpiece of a franchise rebuild following his meteoric rise at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the program to its first national title.
Mendoza had 41 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Indiana last season, completing 72% of his passes to post a perfect 16-0 record not many outside the program saw coming. Indiana entered the season with the most losses in FBS history (715).
It came as no surprise that the Raiders, who finished 3-14 in 2025, used their top pick on Mendoza. The selection had been expected for months as Las Vegas eyed a potential franchise quarterback, and now the only question is whether Mendoza will immediately step in as starter or whether he will serve as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins to start the season.
What the Raiders’ top pick lacked in suspense, the rest of the top 10 made up for with surprises.
The New York Jets tapped Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick. Bailey racked up 14 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season, and he prompted the Jets to bypass highly touted Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese to select him instead.
At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals added Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals had needs at other positions but could not bypass taking a home-run hitter in Love, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns last season.
The Titans added another twist at No. 4 when they bypassed high-end defenders to select wideout Carnell Tate from Ohio State. In 2025, Tate caught 51 passes and hauled in nine touchdowns.
Tate had a message for Cam Ward, his new quarterback with the Titans.
“I’m a reliable target for him,” Tate said. “Whenever he needs me, I’m there for him. I’m always open.”
The New York Giants pounced on Reese at No. 5, where he will join what could be one of the league’s more talented pass-rushing units.
“The Giants told me they’re going to get unique with me,” Reese said. “They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways. I’m looking forward to that.”
Next came the first trade of the evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6. To jump three spots on the draft board, the Chiefs gave up a third-round pick (No. 74) overall and a fifth-round pick (No. 148 overall).
Kansas City then selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Delane said the Chiefs were not heavily involved in his pre-draft process, a tactic that appeared to be subterfuge as soon as they called his name.
“They said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneak move,” Delane said. “And they made the best move in the draft. So I’m excited.”
The Washington Commanders followed at No. 7 by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles — the third Buckeye to go in the top seven picks.
At No. 8, the New Orleans drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
A pair of offensive linemen rounded out the top 10.
Cleveland got first dibs as it used the No. 9 pick to select tackle Spencer Fano from Utah.
Moments later, the Giants took advantage of their second pick of the first round to take Miami Hurricanes tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.
The Dallas Cowboys acted quickly once Ohio State safety Caleb Downs fall outside the top 10. They traded up one spot to No. 11 by sending the Miami Dolphins the No. 12 pick and two fifth-round picks (Nos. 177 and 180), and they drafted Downs to patrol their secondary.
The Dolphins took the third offensive lineman of the draft when they called Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor’s name at No. 12 overall.
Another surprise arrived at the No. 13 pick as the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The Rams saw an opportunity to select their quarterback of the future, who will learn under head coach Sean McVay and veteran starter Matthew Stafford.
“Two of the greatest minds in offense,” Simpson said. .”.. I’m looking forward to it.”
Baltimore gobbled up Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15.
Bain Jr. did not hide his disappointment that he slid to the 15th pick, and he spoke forcefully about why he would prove that the Buccaneers made the right choice.
“I know I’m the best in the country, and I’m going to show it,” he said.
The Jets added the top-rated tight end in the draft when they selected Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon at No. 16.
The back half of the first round included five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles.
A few more playmakers also went off the board on the draft’s first night.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select Southern California wideout Makai Lemon at No. 20. Lemon gives the Eagles another pass-catching weapon as rumors swirl that A.J. Brown could be dealt away.
The Browns used the No. 24 pick to take wide receiver KC Concepcion out of Texas A&M. The final wideout selected Thursday was Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., whom the Jets drafted at No. 30 with their third pick of the first round.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks finished the first round by taking Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 32. Price will play in the NFC West along with Love, a fellow first-rounder and his former backfield mate with the Fighting Irish.
–Field Level Media
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