NFL Insider 'Not 100% Convinced' Raiders Would Draft Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 Pick

The Las Vegas Raiders likely secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft with Sunday's loss against the New York Giants, but it doesn't sound like their mind is made up yet on who they would choose.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday, "I'm not 100% convinced it'll be Indiana's Fernando Mendoza." Breer went on to explain that Mendoza could have some competition to be the No. 1 pick, depending on whether Oregon quarterback Dante Moore declares for the draft.

"I will say it wouldn't surprise me at all if he is, and he seems like a great kid, and one you can bet on," Breer stated. "I'm just not sure, at this early juncture, whether he'll go ahead of Oregon's Dante Moore (should Moore turn down whatever Phil Knight's offering him to stay in Eugene)."

In his first full season as the Ducks' starting quarterback, Moore enjoyed a breakout year with 3,046 yards and 28 touchdowns. However, it was Mendoza who won the Heisman Trophy after leading Indiana to a 13-0 record and throwing for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns.

The Raiders fell to 2-14 with their 34-10 loss to the Giants. Veteran quarterback Geno Smith threw for 176 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions as the team's losing streak reached 10 straight games.

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It's clear that the Raiders need a franchise quarterback, so it will be interesting to see how they approach the draft in the coming months.