The 2026 NFL Draft begins this Thursday (23) and runs until Saturday, an event in which the main players from college football teams are chosen by professional league teams for the season, which officially begins in September.
The event, scheduled for Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, in Pittsburgh, stirs up the fans of the most famous franchises around the world and represents the biggest chance that teams have to reinforce, although negotiations may still take place in mid-season exchanges.
The Draft regulations are designed to maintain a certain balance of forces between the teams. Thus, the first choice – supposedly for the most valuable player – goes to the team with the worst campaign in the previous season – in this case the Las Vegas Raiders, who won 3 and lost 14 games in 2025.
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The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, on the other hand, are only entitled to the 32nd pick of the first round.
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Bets are that the Raiders will exercise the first choice, getting the “pass” of the sensational quarterback from last college season, Fernando Mendoza, who led the perfect 16-0 campaign that led Indiana University to the title.
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As there is a salary table stipulated by the NFL for the Draft, the first overall pick in the 2026 draft is expected to sign a contract worth US$54.6 million over a four-year period. Salaries drop with each first-round pick, with the 32nd pick signing a bond worth just over $16.1 million.
Mendoza completed 72% of his passes last season, for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns — he threw six interceptions. He also rushed for seven touchdowns.
The player is also a beast on social media, or more specifically on LinkedIn. According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian, while most college and even professional American football players are still fascinated by Instagram and TikTok, posting reels and playing to gain prominence in promotions, Mendoza prefers to post only on the professional networking platform.
The quarterback’s page shows a professional presentation, with a profile photo in an impeccable suit, tidy hair, steady gaze, open smile – some say he looks more like an ambitious young real estate agent than an athlete.
The profile description also differentiates him from any other NFL player: “Process-oriented leader with an eye for detail, studying Business Administration at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, after completing his degree in three years at UC Berkeley. As quarterback for the Indiana football team, I apply a solid foundation in leadership, time management and communication to achieve high performance on and off the field”, he says.
“I’m passionate about leveraging my experience in business, real estate and finance to build a career that combines strategic thinking, teamwork and community impact. I take pride in fostering a positive team culture, adapting to new environments and driving results through preparation, responsibility and collaboration”, he concludes.
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Religious and the son of Cuban-American parents, Mendoza often credits his bilingual upbringing for his ability to lead the locker room. During his Heisman Award acceptance speech, he addressed his grandparents in Spanish, referencing the sacrifices they made upon arriving in the US from Cuba.
If the signing is confirmed, Mendoza is expected to receive advice from none other than Tom Brady, who acquired a minority stake in the Las Vegas team in 2024 and was seen in the Raiders’ coaches’ booth at a game last year, wearing a headset and interacting with the coaching staff.
In addition to the Raiders, the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants are among the 10 teams in First Round picks. Some of these positions were achieved after exchange agreements made with other teams, more interested in players from the later six rounds.
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Although the Draft is considered important, the first choices are not always a guarantee of success. In 2000, Tom Brady himself was selected 199th overall among rookies, but won a record seven Super Bowls.
