The Las Vegas Raiders have locked up the number one pick for the 2026 NFL Draft. With the New York Giants defeating the Dallas Cowboys, Vegas has secured the top pick before their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Some Raiders fans are doing backflips. For others, it caps off a season from hell.
Raiders Drafting No. 1
This is the second time in franchise history that they will select with the first pick in the NFL Draft. The last time this organization had the top draft choice in 2007, they selected historic bust JaMarcus Russell. Russell was terrible during his tenure with the team, with a 7-18 record, and was out of the league after his third year. This draft pick will look a little different.
Who Should the Raiders Draft?
There’s only one name that should be selected with the number one pick: Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman winner has shown every trait that is needed to be the face of a franchise. A big, strong, mobile quarterback is just what every franchise needs, and he will be just that for Vegas. Just look at the high-pressure throws and clutch plays he showed down the stretch this past season at Indiana.
Geno Smith was not the answer this team needs. They needed to tear it down to the foundations and start over. That’s what this gives them — a chance for a complete franchise reset. I expect next season, with the trio of Mendoza, Brock Bowers, and Ashton Jeanty, to show flashes of “The Triplets” the Dallas Cowboys had back in the 90s.
Final Thoughts
No team needs this like Vegas. They rolled the dice by bringing in Pete Caroll and trading for Smith to try to compete in a loaded AFC West division, and it failed. Let’s reset the franchise and bring in the man for the future, Mendoza. If you’re a Raider fan, who do you want to see them take with the top pick?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the Las Vegas Raiders securing the Number One Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day and look forward to seeing you again soon.
