The Las Vegas Raiders won the right to select Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Indiana quarterback has been the consensus top choice for months.
Mendoza brings a championship ring and Heisman Trophy credentials to Vegas. He’s not the biggest or strongest quarterback prospect in recent memory, but his efficient play last season made him an easy choice for the top spot.
The Raiders get their franchise quarterback plus extra time to evaluate the rest of their draft board.
Now the question becomes how many of Mendoza’s teammates will join him in the first round.
Cooper’s meteoric rise
Omar Cooper Jr. wasn’t even Indiana’s top receiver entering the season. The 6’1″, 196-pound wideout has catapulted into first-round conversations after one of the season’s most spectacular catches.
That single play put Cooper on evaluators’ radar. Film study revealed much more.
Cooper finished with 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, surpassing teammate Elijah Sarratt as Indiana’s go-to receiver. His yards after catch ranked among the nation’s best.
The athletic testing backed up what scouts saw on film. Cooper ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash with strong marks in the 10-yard split and vertical jump.
His versatility stands out. Cooper lined up inside and outside, making tough catches over the middle while turning routine plays into explosive gains. Drop issues? Practically nonexistent.
That skill set translates perfectly to the NFL. Cooper projects as an immediate slot starter whose reliability should earn him plenty of targets.
Several playoff teams picking in the back half of Round 1 could take the gamble on Cooper before the Raiders get another chance in Round 2. He’s emerged as a top-45 prospect with legitimate first-round buzz.
Cooper represents Indiana’s best bet to join Mendoza as a first-round selection, capping one of the program’s most successful seasons in program history.
