Mendoza Skips NFL Draft, Breaking Tradition

0:00It's April 7th. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where football meets AI. Projected number one pick, Fernando Mendoza plans to skip the NFL draft in Pittsburgh this month. A league source says the Heisman winning quarterback won't show up, even if the Las Vegas Raiders grab him at the top spot. That would make him the first top pick to miss since Trayvon Walker in 2022, who watched from Atlanta with family and friends. Trevor Lawrence pulled the same move back in 2021. Prospects get invited to the green room each year to hear their name called and meet Commissioner Roger Gadell. But more are saying no these days, weighing draft spots, family plans, marketing deals and travel hassles. Attendance has dropped off from 2010 to 2019. About 24 players showed up on average. Post pandemic is down to 16 a year, with just 12 in 2021 and 13 last year in Detroit. The 2026 draft kicks off April 23rd at 8 p.m. outside of Cresher Stadium, running through April 25th.

1:06Mendoza's call highlights how the game's top talents are rewriting draft night traditions.