Mendoza Skips Draft, Raiders Hope for Sunday Heroics

0:00On April 7th, Raider's fans brace yourselves. For Nando Mendoza won't be suiting up in silver and black for the 2026 NFL draft stage. The Indiana Star quarterback is projected as the first overall pick, but he's sitting it out entirely, marking the first time a top quarterback has. Skip sends Trevor Lawrence back in 2021. He's opting to celebrate with his family down in Miami instead of heading to Pittsburgh. At 2021 draft was a hybrid mess anyway because of lingering COVID issues, but Mendoza's choice hits different, purely personal. Word is, this dude's all about family. He blew up online during his Heisman speech last December, pouring his heart out for his mom Elsa, who's fought multiple sclerosis for over 15 years. That raw emotion showed his roots run deep. On the field, he just dragged Indiana to a national championship in his hometown, beating Miami no less. Now the Raiders, who've been struggling hard, signed Kurt Cousins to groom him right from

1:01the jump. Raider's nation might miss the draft moment, but they're crossing fingers. Mendoza shows up big on Sundays and flips that franchise for good. NFL News Today, powered by AI, bringing you what matters on Game Day.