April 23 (UPI) -- Fernando Mendoza fulfilled expectations by landing with the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh.
But, in typical fashion, draft night mayhem ensued, with eight trades and a sprinkling of unanticipated selections. More than 320,000 fans, a record attendance for the event, were on hand for the festivities near Acrisure Stadium.
"I'm just looking forward to getting to work, proving it at the next level," Mendoza said on the ESPN broadcast. "College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career.
"But now I step into a great game, the NFL. I look forward to proving it and earning it every single day."
Edge rusher David Bailey and running back Jeremiyah Love joined the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals with the respective Nos. 2 and 3 selections after the Raiders started the night by picking the Indiana quarterback.
