NFL Draft Celebration for Fernando Mendoza
By early Thursday afternoon, the area surrounding Fernando Mendoza’s home in Coral Gables, Florida, was sealed off, buzzing with excitement as a pig roast—lechon asado—celebrated the occasion. For Cubans like Mendoza, this was a big deal.
No, Mendoza didn’t make it to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft. But, honestly, his family’s draft party in South Florida was nothing short of spectacular.
This outcome isn’t surprising; Mendoza was considered worthy of being drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
He expressed his gratitude in his first interview after being selected, sharing, “The past five months have been full of God’s blessings, and I can’t thank Him enough. I’m looking forward to starting my career and improving at the next level. My college years were fantastic, and I’m happy to have that experience behind me.”
He added, “Now I’m stepping into the NFL, and I’m eager to prove myself and win every day.”
Remarkably, for someone who occasionally doubted he would even be a top draft pick, this was a huge turnaround.
Everything changed when Mendoza transferred to Indiana University right before the 2025 season. That unexpected powerhouse college team ended up producing a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion, and now, a No. 1 draft pick.
The Raiders barely took a moment—just a minute or two—before submitting their selection to the NFL for Mendoza.
Only in America, right?
While the Raiders clearly believe in Mendoza, the organization does have a mixed history with quarterbacks. They signed Geno Smith last season, but his performance was lackluster, leading to a coaching change after a dismal record, which ultimately earned them the No. 1 pick in this draft.
Before Smith, there were bridge quarterbacks like Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, neither of whom panned out as reliable starters. Jimmy Garoppolo, signed as a free agent, struggled with injuries and ended up starting only six games before being released.
Then there’s Derek Carr, who, although functional, was benched and eventually let go. So, yes, it’s been a rocky road since the glory days of Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett.
Many are hopeful Mendoza can turn this narrative around, but transformation takes time. The Raiders also signed veteran Kirk Cousins to mentor Mendoza, which, well, feels like a transitional phase for the rookie.
It’s going to require a bit of patience. But, not an eternity.
Mendoza’s journey is all about restoring glory to a storied franchise, but there are obstacles ahead. To succeed, he’ll need to excel in one of the most competitive divisions.
The AFC West is no cakewalk. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, have practically dominated since 2018, clinching seven straight titles before a recent slowdown. The Denver Broncos emerged victorious in their division last year, thanks to standout quarterback Bo Nix. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers made playoffs last season, backed by Justin Herbert, who ranked among the league’s top passers.
And now, the Raiders have officially responded with the selection of Fernando Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 draft.
