Projected first overall pick Fernando Mendoza won’t attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mendoza will instead be in Miami with his family during the draft, according to Schefter. The 22-year-old is widely expected to land with the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the No. 1 selection.
The former Indiana star headlines this year’s quarterback class after leading the Hoosiers to a national title last season. He completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against six interceptions en route to winning the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza also put on a show at Indiana’s pro day last Wednesday.
Projected top picks normally attend the NFL draft, but Mendoza won’t be the first one to watch it from home. In recent years, quarterback Trevor Lawrence (2021) and pass-rusher Travon Walker (2022) were absent for the event. The last three No. 1 picks – Bryce Young, Caleb Williams, and Cam Ward – attended the draft.
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