Mendoza Skips NFL Draft, Stays Home in Miami

0:00It's April 20th. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where football meets AI. Projected number one overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, is skipping the NFL draft in Pittsburgh to stay home in Miami with his family. His mom Elsa has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, so keeping things local makes sense for everyone on draft night. He explained on The Rich Eyes and Show that his parents really wanted it this way, especially with travel plans right after. Mendoza sees his mom's daily fight and smile as pure inspiration, pushing him to stay optimistic, no matter what on the field. This puts him in line with recent top picks like Trayvon Walker in 2022 and Trevor Lawrence in 2021, both of whom stayed home. 2. Attendance at the draft has dropped since the COVID pandemic, with prospect citing family, projections, or other spots to shine. Mendoza wants to share the moment with a bigger crew back home, including mentors, coaches, friends, and family who shaped his path instead of just a handful in Pittsburgh.

1:01First round kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern outside a Cresher Stadium, so Izo Miami for that big reaction when the Raiders likely call his name.