Las Vegas Raiders Poised to Snag Heisman Star Fernando Mendoza

Posted on: January 23, 2026, 11:44h. 

Last updated on: January 23, 2026, 12:20h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza announces he’s entering the NFL draft
  • The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick after bottoming out, finishing 3-14 this NFL season 
  • Raiders are still looking to hire new head coach

The future path for the Las Vegas Raiders just got clearer with the news Friday morning that QB Fernando Mendoza is entering the NFL draft.

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers smiles and celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium Monday in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Image Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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.

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 on Friday morning.

Mel Likes It

“It’s pretty much a lock for me,” Kiper 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, including 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 LA 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 say the Raiders completed a second interview with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Mike McDaniel is still out there as well, and is reportedly being interviewed for the Buffalo Bills job, and is under serious consideration for the Chargers’ offensive coordinator opening.

This past season, Evero helped turn that Panthers unit around. 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.

An offensive-minded coach like Brady, for example, might be the way to go to pair alongside Mendoza.

DraftKings’ 2026 NFL Draft odds on Friday morning put Mendoza at -8000 to go No. 1, with Trinidad Chambliss at +3000, and Rueben Bain Jr. at +4000.