NFL Execs Vote on Best Prospect in 2026 NFL Draft, How Many Votes Did Fernando Mendoza Get?

The Las Vegas Raiders will likely take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.

But that doesn't mean Mendoza is the best player available.

On Sunday, ESPN's Jeff Legwold shared the results of a poll of NFL executives, coaches and players who were asked who the best player in the 2026 draft class is, regardless of position. And Mendoza found himself looking up at Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese:

• Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State: Five votes
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: Three votes
• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: One vote
• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana: One vote

Legwold noted that every scout who was asked said they still think Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick, which would follow recent history. After all, a quarterback has been taken with the top selection in 21 of the last 28 NFL drafts overall and seven of the last eight.

Las Vegas needs a long-term answer at quarterback as well, so selecting the national champion makes sense.

Mendoza 1st TD

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That means another team will benefit from Reese falling below No. 1.

"The Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher was a multitask player in the Buckeyes' defense, boasting athleticism, physicality and walk-in starter ability as a three-down player," Legwold wrote. "He has enormous potential as an edge rusher to go with his vast array of off-ball abilities."

B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected Mendoza to go No. 1 overall and Reese to go No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans in its most recent mock draft.

It also highlighted Reese's "physical and elite strength at the point of attack to stand up offensive linemen when taking on blocks on the second level" and his "impressive speed" in a scouting report that called his pro comparison "Demario Davis with more length."

He may be the best player in the draft and could be a foundational defensive player for whichever team selects him, but it seems like it will be a quarterback going first overall yet again.