HENDERSON, Nev. – ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has made his prediction for the Las Vegas Raiders at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is going with quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana.

In his latest mock draft published Tuesday, Kiper writes that Mendoza to the Raiders seems pretty obvious at this point, noting that the Geno Smith trade did not solve the post-Derek Carr quarterback problem.

New head coach Klint Kubiak will want a signal-caller to build his offense around, according to Kiper, making Mendoza the clear choice as the best quarterback available in this year draft class.

Mendoza is ranked No. 1 on Kiper Big Board, described as far and away the best QB in the class.

The Raiders, entering Year 1 of the Kubiak era, could see their offense take a significant step forward if they add Mendoza alongside weapons like running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.

Las Vegas holds the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history.