Las Vegas Raiders: Mendoza takes the first NFL Draft pick

• The Las Vegas Raiders chose quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the top overall pick.
• Several surprising trades and high-value selections occurred during the first draft day.
• A massive crowd gathered in Pittsburgh to witness the start of the event.

The Las Vegas Raiders began the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting 22-year-old quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He was the top favorite for the first pick after winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a national title. Mendoza is only the third player to achieve these three honors in one year.

Rather than attending the event in Pittsburgh, Mendoza celebrated the moment with his family in Miami. Meanwhile, the New York Jets took David Bailey second. The defensive front was considered the strongest area of this class, though offensive players followed immediately in the third and fourth spots.

The New York Giants secured two top 10 spots, picking Arvell Reese fifth and Francis Mauigoa tenth. Mauigoa, who is 20 years old, wore a collage of American Samoa on his jacket. The Washington Commanders selected Sonny Styles seventh, who is the son of a Super Bowl winner.

Dynamic movement defined the day with eight trades. The Kansas City Chiefs moved to the sixth spot for Mansoor Delane to aid their rebuild. In a shocking move at pick 13, the Los Angeles Rams chose Ty Simpson, a quarterback from Alabama with limited starting experience.

The Rams plan to develop Simpson alongside 38-year-old Matthew Stafford. Other notable picks included Caleb Downs for the Dallas Cowboys at 11 and Max Iheanachor for Pittsburgh at 21. The event drew 320,000 people to the area outside the Steelers’ home stadium.

The New York Jets were particularly active, ending the first round with three selections after drafting Omar Cooper Jr. The draft continues through Saturday, with the second and third rounds scheduled for Friday and the final rounds taking place the following day.