NFL Draft 2026 Starts With Fernando Mendoza at No. 1/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Fernando Mendoza completed his remarkable rise from overlooked recruit to No. 1 overall pick after the Las Vegas Raiders selected him first in the 2026 NFL Draft. The New York Jets followed by taking edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, while Arizona grabbed running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. The first round featured major surprises, bold trades, and another quarterback-heavy opening night in Pittsburgh.
NFL Draft 2026 Quick Looks
- Fernando Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall by the Raiders
- David Bailey went No. 2 to the New York Jets
- Jeremiyah Love was drafted No. 3 by Arizona
- Ty Simpson surprised many by going No. 13 to the Rams
- The Chiefs traded up to No. 6 for Mansoor Delane
- The Steelers selected Max Iheanachor at No. 21
- The first round finished in under 3.5 hours with faster pick timing
Deep Look
Fernando Mendoza Completes Stunning Rise to No. 1
PITTSBURGH — Fernando Mendoza’s incredible journey from lightly recruited high school quarterback to the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft became official Thursday night when the Las Vegas Raiders selected the Indiana star first overall.
The 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to its first national championship and now takes on the challenge of helping turn the Raiders into playoff contenders.
Mendoza did not attend the draft festivities in Pittsburgh, choosing instead to celebrate with family and close friends at home in Miami.
When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name, Mendoza smiled, placed a Raiders cap on his head, and embraced his family from his living room couch — saving the biggest hug for his mother.
His next stop is Las Vegas, where he begins what could be one of the most closely watched rookie careers in the league.
From Two-Star Recruit to NFL’s Top Pick
Mendoza’s rise has been one of the biggest stories in college football over the past year.
Coming out of high school, he was considered only a two-star recruit and attracted little major college attention.
Even at this time last year, few projected him as a future first-round pick.
Then came a breakout season at Indiana.
He completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, threw 41 touchdowns, and had only six interceptions while leading the Hoosiers to a national title.
That performance pushed him to the top of draft boards, even though some scouts still questioned him in what many viewed as a weak quarterback class.
Mendoza said his focus remains simple.
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can’t thank Him enough,” Mendoza said.
“I’m just looking forward to get to work, prove it at the next level. College was fantastic. I’m so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game, the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
Jets Take David Bailey at No. 2
After Mendoza’s expected selection, the real suspense began with the second overall pick.
The New York Jets surprised many draft experts by choosing Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio State standout Arvell Reese.
Bailey becomes one of the key defensive building blocks for a Jets team looking to strengthen its pass rush and defensive front.
“It’s surreal to me,” Bailey said.
“It’s an awesome opportunity. I just want to get in there and be a sponge and soak up everything.”
Arizona followed by selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
Love became the highest running back drafted since Saquon Barkley was selected No. 2 overall by the Giants in 2018.
That shows just how highly teams valued his explosiveness and versatility.
Surprise Picks Shape the Top 10
One of the early surprises came when Tennessee selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4.
The move gives quarterback Cam Ward — last year’s No. 1 overall pick — a major new offensive weapon.
The Giants then selected Arvell Reese at No. 5 after passing on him earlier, adding an elite pass-rushing prospect just days after trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Kansas City made one of the boldest moves of the night by trading up to No. 6 for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The Chiefs sent Cleveland the ninth overall pick along with picks No. 74 and No. 148 to move up.
Washington grabbed Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7, while New Orleans selected wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 to pair with quarterback Tyler Shough.
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano became the first offensive lineman off the board at No. 9 to Cleveland.
Ty Simpson’s Big Draft Night Surprise
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson delivered one of the biggest surprises of the first round when the Los Angeles Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick.
Many draft projections had Simpson going in the second round, but the Rams clearly believed in his long-term upside.
Simpson only started 15 college games, but he entered draft night full of confidence.
“Absolutely, I am confident,” Simpson said.
“That’s why I decided to come out. You know with the offensive infrastructure we had in Alabama with other coaches and the offensive system, the weight room, everything was set up to better you for the NFL. And that’s why I stayed at ’Bama.”
His selection shows how highly NFL teams still value quarterback development potential.
Raiders Give Mendoza Time to Develop
One reason Mendoza’s landing spot stands out is that he won’t be forced to start immediately.
The Raiders still have veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler who can help guide the rookie.
Mendoza will also learn under Raiders part-owner Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion he grew up admiring.
That mentorship could be critical for a quarterback entering a franchise that has not won a playoff game in 24 years.
Las Vegas hopes Mendoza becomes the player who changes that.
He is now the fourth straight quarterback selected No. 1 overall, following Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, and Bryce Young.
It also marks the 10th time in the past 12 years that a quarterback has gone first overall.
Steelers Fans React to Home Draft Night
The draft opened with Pittsburgh fans doing what they do best — loudly booing Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“C’mon, you can do better than that,” Goodell joked.
“We have over 300,000 people. Let’s go. Let’s hear you.”
Steelers legends Lynn Swann, Hines Ward, and Terry Bradshaw were later introduced to massive cheers.
But hometown fans were less excited when Pittsburgh selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21.
Many hoped for a flashy playmaker instead of another first-round offensive tackle.
It marked the third time in four years the Steelers used a first-round pick on that position.
Trades and Drama Across the First Round
The Eagles moved up to No. 20 to take USC receiver Makai Lemon, who thought Pittsburgh was about to draft him.
“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time. I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly,” Lemon said.
The Jets later made another aggressive move by trading for a third first-round pick and selecting Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
The Titans also traded back into the first round for Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk.
The Super Bowl champion Seahawks closed the round by selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price.
The faster draft format also helped speed things up, with teams given only eight minutes per pick instead of 10.
The entire first round finished in less than three and a half hours.
A New NFL Era Begins
As always, the draft is about hope, projection, and pressure.
For Fernando Mendoza, it marks the beginning of the biggest challenge of his football life.
For teams like the Raiders, Jets, and Cardinals, it represents a chance to reshape the future.
And for fans across the league, the 2026 NFL Draft delivered exactly what it promised — surprises, excitement, and the start of a new NFL chapter.
Now the real work begins.
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