As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, standout quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to hear his name called first overall—but he won’t be in attendance to walk across the stage.
Instead, Mendoza plans to remain at home in Miami, celebrating the milestone moment with family and close friends. The decision, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, means the highly touted prospect will skip the in-person festivities in Pittsburgh, where the draft is set to take place from April 23–25. Schefter reports: “Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami.”
The Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the top selection, are widely anticipated to choose Mendoza following his remarkable college career. The Heisman Trophy winner capped off his final season by leading Indiana to its first national championship, cementing his status as the draft’s top prospect.
Before draft night, Mendoza is scheduled to make his only official visit to Las Vegas, where he’ll meet the Raiders’ coaching staff and get a feel for the organization. While he may not be rushed into action immediately—especially after the team added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins—his transition to the NFL is expected to benefit from that experienced presence.
Mendoza’s choice to stay home reflects a growing trend among top prospects. Although attending the draft has become a high-profile tradition—especially since it became a televised event decades ago—not every projected No. 1 pick opts to be there in person. In fact, if selected first overall, Mendoza would be the first top pick to skip the event since Travon Walker in 2022.
Over the years, several top selections have chosen similar paths, including Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, and Joe Burrow—though Burrow’s draft took place remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. While earlier generations of No. 1 picks consistently attended the event, more recent prospects have increasingly favored more personal, private celebrations.
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