How experts rank Fernando Mendoza among QB prospects from 2022 through 2026

Barring what would be an absolutely stunning event, the Las Vegas Raiders will make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft later this spring. 

Back in January, it was said that certain "NFL people" viewed Mendoza at the time as "a Jared Goff–level No. 1 pick" who isn't "at the same level as guys like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence or Caleb Williams." For a piece published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated spoke with draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network and Todd McShay of the Ringer about how Mendoza compares to quarterback prospects from 2022 through this winter. 

How Fernando Mendoza compares to Caleb Williams, other prospects

"Jeremiah said that if you grouped the past five draft classes from 2022 to ’26, Mendoza’s grade coming out of school versus the other would put him fourth of 12 first-round guys, behind only ’24 prospects Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye," Breer wrote. "McShay, in that group, had [Mendoza] fifth, behind the three from ’24 and Cam Ward." 

Williams, Daniels and Maye have all led their clubs to playoff berths since entering the league. Daniels earned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors and helped the 2024 Washington Commanders complete a trip to the NFC Championship Game, while Maye more recently guided the New England Patriots to Super Bowl LX. 

The Tennessee Titans made Ward the first overall pick of last year's draft, but he endured a rocky rookie campaign that featured the in-season firing of head coach Brian Callahan.

Some have suggested that the Raiders should pass on grabbing Mendoza and should instead attempt to trade for star Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. There's no indication the Ravens are ready to give up on Jackson, and McShay believes that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady may already be a big Mendoza fan ahead of the scouting combine. 

What Tom Brady may like about Fernando Mendoza

"Slighted, wasn’t even allowed to walk on at Miami, had to bounce around to get to where he is, chip on his shoulder, super football nerd, competitive juices, lives the game, tall, sees the field, accurate, works within the system," McShay said about how Brady may view Mendoza's college journey. "He probably sees a lot of himself, a young Tom Brady in Mendoza."

Of course, Brady famously had to wait before the Patriots made him overall pick No. 199 during the 2000 NFL Draft. By all accounts, Mendoza will have quite a different experience on the night of April 23.