Mendoza's Rise: Raiders' First Pick in NFL Draft

Las Vegas Raiders just snagged quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick

in the NFL draft, capping his wild rise from a overlooked, two-star high school kids

a Heisman winner and Indiana's first national champ.

Earlier this week, Mendoza skipped the Pittsburgh spotlight, chilling at home in Miami with family,

grinning ear to ear and a Raiders cap after hearing.

His name called, then heading to Vegas Friday to kick off his pro career.

As lit up with reactions across the board, Mendoza's mom got the biggest hug, while picks

like Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love at number three.

Mark the highest RB spots since Sequan Barclay in 2018, and Ohio State's Carnell Tates

surprised everyone going forth to Tennessee.

Trades flew fast, like Kansas City jumping to six for LSU's Mansour Delane, and the Giants

grabbing two tackles early, meanwhile, the Rams shocked by, taking Alabama's Thai Simpson

13th, way higher than expected for his limited starts.

Mendoza joins a stacked QB lineage as the fourth straight top pick, learning behind Kurt

Cousins and Tom Brady in Vegas where the Raiders now eye.

Playoffs after 24 dry years, no rush, just proving ground ahead.

That's your update from El Paso News today, powered by AI.

I'm Cori with the story.