Overview
- Mendoza, selected No. 1 by Las Vegas on Thursday, celebrated at home in Miami as Roger Goodell called his name.
- He enters a quarterback room with Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell, and team guidance points to a developmental path rather than an immediate starting role.
- The 22-year-old led Indiana to a 16-0 national title run in 2025, completing about 72% of his throws for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions while winning the Heisman.
- He becomes the third top pick with Latin American roots, joining Jim Plunkett and Bryce Young, and he has publicly embraced his Cuban American heritage.
- New York took edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 and Arizona chose running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, framing the early draft board behind Las Vegas.