Fernando Mendoza already a favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

In the least-surprising move of the 2026 NFL draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick.

This move was so obvious that it came and went without a blink.

Any team who lands the No. 1 pick in the draft has work to do, and the Raiders are in total burn-down-the-house, rebuild mode.

Lucky for the Raiders, the Mendoza picks is already being praised. Ben Solak of ESPN has released a roundup of his thoughts on the various picks from the draft, he names Mendoza a favorite to snag Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“Mendoza should lead this clubhouse,” Solak wrote. “He doesn’t need to start in Week 1, as the Raiders signed a well-paid backup in Kirk Cousins this offseason. But Cousins’ tune at his introductory news conference was quite soft: ‘I don’t want to start unless I’m the best option. I told Klint [Kubiak] that the best player should play.’”

He adds: “I’m willing to bank on Mendoza’s long runway of preparation for Kubiak’s offense — he has known he was going to be a Raider since January — giving him an early leg up relative to most rookies.”

What Matters: Why Fernando Mendoza Could Land Offensive ROTY

Look at it this way: The Raiders had a 3-14 record last season, which was brutal. Coming off that showing, Mendoza doesn’t have to do much to land Offensive Rookie of the Year.

If Mendoza can just get the Raiders up to even a respectable record, he’s going to be a favorite to land the honor. He’s coming off an undefeated season with the Hoosiers and knows the mentality of how to win. 

With some starts and wins under his belt, that award just makes sense for him.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 5:43 PM.