Fernando Mendoza was going to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft no matter what. However, with every variable taken into account, was the Las Vegas Raiders' selection of Mendoza the best pick in the draft?
According to ESPN's Matt Miller, Mendoza was the ninth-best pick in this year's draft.
"Mendoza's poise, accuracy, decision-making and running talents are franchise-quarterback material, and his ceiling is closer to a top-10 quarterback in the league than many comparisons would indicate," Miller said.
The Raiders were committed to making Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, their franchise quarterback in the draft. Mendoza reached the highest level of acclaim among his peers in this year's draft class due to his exceptional arm talent, precision, and mobility.
Las Vegas was willing to move off of Geno Smith, their starting quarterback from last season, prior to the draft,and traded him to the New York Jets as a result. The Raiders did sign Kirk Cousins in free agency just before the draft commenced, but Las Vegas' need for a franchise QB remained.
Among the players that Mendoza was ranked behind include Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (No. 1), Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane (No. 3), and New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (No. 5).
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza No. 9 in ESPN 2026 NFL Draft picks ranking
