Las Vegas Raiders to select Fernando Mendoza as NFL draft number one
The Las Vegas Raiders are heavily tipped to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, while the New York Jets target linebacker Arvell Reese at number two.
The Las Vegas franchise has been locked in on the Indiana signal-caller for a considerable time, making his selection at the top of the board a mere formality.
However, the real intrigue of the 2026 draft begins when the New York outfit goes on the clock with the second overall selection.
Jets zero in on Reese
Internal debates have raged within the Jets’ headquarters regarding whether to draft Ohio State’s Reese or Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
The situation seemingly crystallised after Bailey’s scheduled visit was unexpectedly cancelled last week, pointing towards Reese as the ultimate choice.
The talented defensive prospect is viewed as an immediate contributor in an off-ball role who also possesses significant developmental upside.
Cardinals explore trade options
Attention then turns to the Arizona Cardinals at number three, a franchise widely known to be actively exploring trade-down scenarios to accumulate extra picks.
A potential move could involve a team like the Kansas City Chiefs moving up from the ninth spot to secure Bailey.
Should a viable trade fail to materialise, Arizona is reportedly prepared to draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Selecting a rusher so early would represent a surprising strategy for the Cardinals, who already possess veteran James Conner and have substantial salary cap resources tied up in the position.
With pre-draft smokescreens prevalent across the league, the opening round promises significant volatility once the initial selections are finalised.
