The Raiders Are Going QB at No. 1 and the First Round Just Got Unpredictable

The 2026 NFL Draft is almost here, and there's one thing you can count on: someone's picking a quarterback at the top. Las Vegas is making the call, and they're not waiting around.

According to ESPN's NFL Nation mock draft, the Raiders are taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. It's a new era in Vegas, and Mendoza is the guy they're banking on to lead it.

Six Teams Are Doubling Down in Round One

Here's where it gets interesting. The draft landscape shifted last weekend when the Cincinnati Bengals flipped the No. 10 pick to the New York Giants in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. That move matters because now six teams are holding two first-round selections heading into Thursday night's draft in Pittsburgh.

When you've got that kind of capital, things get unpredictable fast. Teams with two bites at the apple in round one? They're thinking trade, they're thinking value, they're thinking chess moves. The mock drafts can only guess so much.

The Mystery Unfolds Thursday Night

Mendoza going No. 1 in Vegas feels inevitable, but what happens after that? Which pass rusher hears his name called? How do those teams with double picks maneuver? That's the real story nobody can predict with total confidence.

The full mock draft from ESPN's 32 team reporters drops Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App, broadcasting live from Pittsburgh. This is the real deal, and it's almost here.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.