Posted on: January 23, 2026, 11:44h.
Last updated on: January 23, 2026, 11:46h.
- Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza announces he is entering NFL draft
- Las Vegas Raiders hold first overall pick after bottoming out, finishing 3-14 this NFL season
- Raiders still looking to hire new head coach
The future path for the Las Vegas Raiders just got clearer with the news this morning that QB Fernando Mendoza is entering the NFL draft.
Mendoza made the announcement on his Instagram account. The Raiders are coming off an abysmal season, where they finished last in the NFL, soon after firing head coach Pete Carroll. However, finishing last earned them the No. 1 pick in this spring’s draft, and with the failed experiment of Geno Smith at quarterback, all eyes now turn to Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers to their first national championship this past season.
ESPN’s Senior NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. had Mendoza going to the Raiders at No. 1 as news broke this morning.
Mel Likes It
It’s pretty much a lock for me,” he told ESPN’s morning panel. “This kid was spectacular throughout the season. He took the sack total from 41 down to 18 during the regular season. He improved in the areas he needed to. He benefited from 35 starts, experience being the best teacher, in the biggest games. This kid is ready for the NFL. He’s 22 years of age. The Raiders in general, and the AFC with all those great quarterbacks, this is a heckuva place to start. The future with Mendoza being brought in as the No. 1 pick overall by the Raiders will be bright for Raiders Nation.”
Raiders owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek were all on the Indiana sidelines during the Hoosiers’ 27-21 win over Miami in the CFP National Championship in Miami Monday night. Mendoza was 16-27, for 186 yards, and a rushing TD, that put the Hoosiers up by 10 points.
Mendoza at No. 1 is about as clear a decision as the Raiders are going to have to make.
Las Vegas Gambling: Coaching Update
The Raiders are still searching for a new head coach, with vacant jobs being filled all over the NFL – the latest being in Baltimore, with the Ravens hiring former L.A. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to replace John Harbaugh.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Minter had “strong interest” from the Raiders, as well as from the Cleveland Browns. Reports out there say the Raiders completed a second interview with Caroline Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Mike McDaniel is still out there, reportedly being interviewed for the Buffalo Bills job, and under serious consideration for the L.A. Chargers offensive coordinator opening.
This past season Evero helped turn that Panthers’ unit around – No. 16 in the NFL in yards allowed and No. 15 in points allowed. Other candidates for the Raiders include Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
Going with an offensive-minded coach like Brady for example might be the way to go, to pair alongside Mendoza.
By the way, DraftKings 2026 NFL Draft odds this morning – Mendoza is at -8000 to go No. 1, with Trinidad Chambliss at +3000, and Rueben Bain Jr. at +4000.
