With the 2026 NFL Draft still months away, Fernando Mendoza has already become the centerpiece of the conversation.
The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is widely projected as the likely No. 1 overall pick, particularly with the Las Vegas Raiders currently holding the top selection.
But not everyone agrees with the hype. A former NFL scout ignited fresh debate this week after releasing his personal quarterback board on social media – and Mendoza was nowhere near the top.
“As a former NFL Scout – This is my QB Board in the 2026 NFL Draft: QB1 Carson Beck, QB2 Drew Allar, QB3 Cade Klubnik, QB4 Jalon Daniels, QB5 Ty Simpson, QB6 Garrett Nussmeier and QB7 Fernando Mendoza,” the scout wrote on X.
The ranking immediately raised eyebrows given Mendoza’s meteoric rise over the past year. After throwing for 3,535 yards and accounting for 48 total touchdowns during his breakout season at Indiana, he solidified himself in many analysts’ eyes as the most NFL-ready quarterback in the class.
Instead, the former scout slots him seventh, behind established names like Carson Beck and Drew Allar, as well as Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Raiders weighing their options
The team most closely tied to Mendoza is the Las Vegas Raiders, who currently own the No. 1 overall pick. Head coach Klint Kubiak has been measured when discussing the Indiana standout, emphasizing evaluation over assumption.
“My exposure is very limited,” Kubiak said. “I saw him play the national championship game, I saw the interviews he’s given after those games and how team-oriented he is. I look forward to getting to know the player better, but obviously a really talented guy with a bright future. We’ll see. We’ll see where it ends up. But we’ve got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time comes.”
That tone reflects a broader reality: no draft slot is secured in February. For now, the disagreement over rankings shows just how fluid the quarterback landscape remains. Draft boards will continue to shift as pro days, private workouts, and interviews reshape opinions.
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