NFL insider: Fernando Mendoza may not have been No. 1 pick had certain other QBs declared for 2026 NFL Draft

For most of the months leading to the 2026 NFL Draft, it became pretty evident that the Las Vegas Raiders had zeroed in on Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 pick.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner faced no opposition to be the first player off the board, especially given the team's need for a signal-caller.

Nevertheless, it looks like he could've lost that spot if another of the top prospects had declared for the draft.

According to ESPN NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Mendoza wasn't necessarily considered a better prospect than some other young quarterbacks.

Dante Moore could've been QB1 in 2026 over Fernando Mendoza?

"In all my quarterback research this year and talking to people about Fernando Mendoza ... where would he fit into a broader group of quarterbacks?" Pelissero said. "And one of the things that came up repeatedly was if some of the other guys came out this year, he might not even be the number one pick."

The renowned insider then named Dante Moore, who returned to Oregon for another year, and Brendan Sorsby, who transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech.

"Dante Moore from Oregon is one," Pelissero revealed. "...Brendan Sorsby is another who, for some people, had a really high grade, a first-round grade."

Moore is one of the way-too-early favorites to be one of the top-five picks in the class of 2027.

As for Sorsby, he could still make his way to the league this season, given that he could lose his eligibility after his gambling scandal. Sorsby can declare for the supplemental NFL Draft.

As for Mendoza, he's not likely to play for most of his rookie season — if at all — with Kirk Cousins taking the reins of Klint Kubiak's offense while he gets used to life in the pros. 

Whether he'll prove the doubters wrong remains to be seen.