Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the expected No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, will not attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion will instead watch the proceedings from his hometown of Miami, surrounded by family.
The decision makes Mendoza the first top pick to skip the event since Travon Walker in 2022. Trevor Lawrence also opted out in 2021. For Mendoza, the choice is personal: his mother, Elsa Mendoza, suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, making travel difficult.
“Staying in his hometown of Miami for the draft will allow the 22-year-old to enjoy the moment with his mother,” a source close to the quarterback said.
The Raiders have heavily scouted Mendoza, sending general manager John Spytek and multiple representatives to his Pro Day at Indiana on April 1. Mendoza did not participate in the NFL combine in February but met with the team during rookie evaluations and again via videoconference. On Tuesday, as news of his draft decision broke, Mendoza was at the Raiders headquarters in Henderson for his only scheduled Top 30 visit.
Tuesday also marked the start of the Raiders’ voluntary workouts. Spytek, speaking at league meetings March 30, emphasized that he would focus on how Mendoza interacted with team personnel, even the driver bringing him to the facility.
