Fernando Mendoza was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday night, capping a rapid rise from an overlooked two-star recruit to the top of the NFL Draft. The Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to a national title and now heads to the pros. The New York Jets followed with edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 and Arizona took running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
Mendoza celebrated the pick at home in Miami with family and friends instead of attending the draft in person. He smiled when his name was announced, put on a Raiders cap and hugged his family, saving the warmest embrace for his mother. He’ll fly to Las Vegas on Friday to begin his NFL career.
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can’t thank Him enough,” Mendoza said. “I’m just looking forward to get to work, prove it at the next level. College was fantastic. I’m so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game, the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
Mendoza had a sensational final college season. He completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, threw 41 touchdowns and had six interceptions. He was not widely regarded as a top prospect a year ago, and he will join a Raiders roster that has not won a playoff game in 24 years. The team said it will not rush him into the starting job, and he will have the chance to learn from Kirk Cousins and part-owner Tom Brady.
The Jets surprised some observers by taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2. Bailey reacted to the pick with humility and focus. “It’s surreal to me,” Bailey said. “It’s an awesome opportunity. I just want to get in there and be a sponge and soak up everything.”
Arizona made Love the third overall pick, making him the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018. The early part of the first round also featured several other notable selections. Tennessee added Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 to give QB Cam Ward a top target. The Giants took Ohio State edge Arvell Reese at No. 5. Kansas City traded up to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6. Washington added Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7, and New Orleans picked Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8.
One of the bigger surprises later in the first round came when the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13. Simpson, who started 15 college games, walked the red carpet confident about his decision to enter the draft. “Absolutely, I am confident,” Simpson said. “That’s why I decided to come out. You know with the offensive infrastructure we had in Alabama with other coaches and the offensive system, the weight room, everything was set up to better you for the NFL. And that’s why I stayed at ’Bama.”
Other first-round moves included the Giants taking offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10, the Cowboys moving up to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11, and Miami adding Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor at No. 12. Tampa Bay picked Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15, and Bain expressed strong belief in himself. “I know I’m the best in the country,” Bain said. “I can do anything I put my mind to because of my mindset.”
Philadelphia traded up to No. 20 to pick USC wideout Makai Lemon. Lemon said he briefly thought Pittsburgh would draft him. “Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time. I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly,” Lemon said.
The draft opened with Commissioner Roger Goodell walking on stage alongside Steelers stars T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward and drew the customary boos from the hometown crowd. “C’mon, you can do better than that,” Goodell said about the boos. “We have over 300,000 people. Let’s go. Let’s hear you.” Heyward then introduced franchise greats Lynn Swann, Hines Ward and Terry Bradshaw to a roaring crowd.
Across the rest of the first round, teams addressed many needs with a mix of offense, defense and linemen. Notable late selections included KC taking Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29, the Jets adding wideout Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30, and the Seahawks closing the round with Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. Teams had eight minutes between picks, down from 10, and the draft finished in under three and a half hours.
Mendoza becomes the fourth straight quarterback taken No. 1 overall. He enters an NFL where recent top QBs have had mixed team success. He will get time to learn, and expectations will be high. The draft also showed teams continuing to trade and maneuver to land the players they covet, setting the stage for a busy offseason and a season of change around the league.
