The Las Vegas Raiders and Tom Brady have secured their franchise quarterback by selecting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, had his name announced first by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was booed by thousands of fans in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. However, the 22-year-old was not present in Pittsburgh; he spent the evening with his family in Coral Gables, Florida, as his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis, finds travel difficult.
Wild celebrations erupted in the Mendoza family home when his name was read out on television. Mendoza was widely expected to be the top pick by the Raiders as they embark on a new era under head coach Klint Kubiak and with a new quarterback. This selection caps a remarkable year for Mendoza, who led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship in January, concluding a stunning final college season.
A Historic Draft Moment
Mendoza becomes the fifth No. 1 pick in the last nine in-person drafts—the 2020 draft was held virtually—to skip the spectacle and celebrate privately with family and friends, joining Travon Walker, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield, and Myles Garrett. The poised and polished quarterback will now have the opportunity to learn from part-owner Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion ready to share his wisdom.
Mendoza will first compete with veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting position, after Cousins signed with the Raiders earlier this offseason. Following Mendoza, it may be some time before another quarterback is selected. Alabama's Ty Simpson is expected to be the next one, but he might have to wait until the second round on Friday night.
Draft Format and Team Movements
The first round is expected to be about an hour faster than previous years, as the time between picks has been reduced from ten minutes to eight minutes. One year after every team entered the draft with a first-round pick for the first time since the common draft began in 1967, there has been significant pick movement. The latest trade saw Cincinnati send the 10th pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence.
Teams with multiple first-round picks include the New York Jets, Cleveland, Kansas City, Miami, and Dallas. Teams without a first-rounder are Cincinnati, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Jacksonville, and Denver. Barring a trade, the Jaguars will not make a first-round pick for the first time since entering the NFL in 1995, due to last year's deal to move up and select Travis Hunter second overall.
More to follow.
