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South Florida native Fernando Mendoza selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft
The Raiders hope Mendoza becomes their franchise quarterback after investing nearly $300 million in roster upgrades, including three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
- On Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, fulfilling months of anticipation as a near-certainty since the fall.
- Seeking a fresh start after a 3-14 season, the Raiders hired head coach Klint Kubiak to reverse two decades of playoff futility; the franchise has not won a playoff game since 2003.
- The 22-year-old Miami native led Indiana to an undefeated national championship season, winning the Heisman Trophy. On April 23, Mendoza committed $500,000 to the Mendoza Family Fund for multiple sclerosis research at the University of Miami Health System.
- To facilitate his transition, the Raiders signed 37-year-old Kirk Cousins to start this season while Mendoza develops. General manager John Spytek said, "Ultimately, this is a meritocracy and the best guy will play."
- Embracing an underdog mentality, Mendoza aims to "eliminate some of those learning curves" while learning from minority owner Tom Brady, believing he must "work every single day possible" to earn the starting role.
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The Raiders of Las Vegas hope to have finally found their quarterback franchise, by choosing the winner of the Heisman Trophy Fernando Mendoza with the first global selection on Thursday night in the NFL draft.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
L 38%
C 54%
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