Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders have made significant progress in their plans for the 2026 Draft, with Indiana Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza emerging as their top choice for the No 1 pick. The 22-year-old quarterback has already started learning the Raiders' offense under the guidance of former teammate Brian Griese and is scheduled to visit Las Vegas this week as part of the league's Top 30 prospect program.
Mendoza's impressive performance in his lone season at Indiana, where he led the program to a perfect 16-0 record and its first national championship, has generated significant hype. His numbers, including 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, underline his potential as a top prospect.
With the draft set to take place on April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, the process appears to be shifting from evaluation to preparation. Mendoza's visit to Las Vegas is expected to be a formality, with insiders suggesting that it will serve as a preview of what's to come.
