PITTSBURGH (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders make history with the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, making the move the organization has been building toward all off-season:
Fernando Mendoza to the Silver and Black.
Raiders General Manager John Spytek says Mendoza made it easy for the team to realize he was the right man at the right time.
Mendoza is a 6-foot-5 quarterback with a lethal combination of accuracy, determination, and toughness. He rose to prominence after being labeled a two-star recruit out of high school. Following two seasons at Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship.
The jury is still out as to whether Mendoza will play in week 1 this season, but he has the look of a true franchise quarterback that can lead the Raiders back to prominence for the first time in decades.
Also this off-season, the Raiders brought in veteran NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins as a possible bridge and mentor for Mendoza. And if one veteran quarterback wasn't enough, Mendoza will also have the opportunity to be mentored by the greatest of all time, Tom Brady.
Tonight, the NFL Draft continues through 8 p.m. on Channel 13.
Let's hear it for the Fan of the Year 🏴☠️
The players aren't the only ones whose dreams are coming true at the NFL Draft. Barbara Estrada is the Raiders' International Fan of the Year, and to celebrate, she'll play a role in this year's draft.
Alex Eschelman caught up with Estrada about what it means for her to represent the Silver and Black:
Wednesday
We are just one day away from the Las Vegas Raiders drafting first overall in this year's NFL Draft.
Channel 13 sports reporter Alex Eschelman has boots on the ground for the three-day football frenzy in Pittsburgh, where loyal fans from the Black Hole are fired up about what could be one of the most important drafts in team history.
The Raiders are expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick on Thursday night.
He would join a new coach, a number of new faces in free agency and will lead a new direction for the franchise.
The NFL Draft starts at 5 p.m. Thursday on ABC and Channel 13. Channel 13's sports team will help break down the highlights with special coverage after the draft. Here's when to watch:
- Thursday at 4:30 p.m. | Channel 13 Sports Special: NFL Draft
- Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | NFL Draft, Round 1
- Thursday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Channel 13 News: Special Edition
- Friday at 3 p.m. | Channel 13 Sports Special: NFL Draft
- Friday, 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | NFL Draft, Rounds 2 and 3
- Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Channel 13 News: Special Edition
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | NFL Draft, Rounds 4-7
- Saturday at 4 p.m. | Channel 13 Sports: Post-NFL Draft Special
- Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Channel 13 News: Special Edition
-
With the NFL Draft near, Raiders keep command of top pick, eye future success
Las Vegas Raiders fans have been especially excited as the Silver and Black are set to get the first overall pick this year, and eyes have been on Fernando Mendoza for months.
FULL PRESSER: Kirk Cousins holds first press conference as a Las Vegas Raider
This comes after the Las Vegas Raiders confirmed earlier this week the club signed the unrestricted free agent as its newest quarterback.
WATCH: Kirk Cousins holds first press conference as a Las Vegas Raider
It came after the Las Vegas Raiders confirmed earlier this week that the club signed the unrestricted free agent as its newest quarterback.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins agrees to Raiders contract, agents says
That's according to a post by Mike McCartney, who said Kirk Cousins agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
