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Raiders Draft Caleb Mendoza No. 1, First QB Pick Since 2007

4/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Raiders drafted quarterback Caleb Mendoza No. 1 overall, their first top QB selection since 2007.
General manager John Spytek said the team turned down trade offers and kept the pick for Mendoza.
Mendoza guided Indiana to a 16-0 season, its first national championship and first Big Ten title since 1967.
He will split the Raiders’ quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Aidan O’Connell.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 the Oakland Raiders, coming off a 2-14 season, used the first overall pick to select LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, a move that produced a 4-12 record and is now regarded as one of the NFL’s biggest draft busts. That failure, along with other misspent first-round choices such as Robert Gallery, has made the franchise wary of high-value rookie contracts in subsequent drafts.

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Story summary

The Raiders drafted quarterback Caleb Mendoza No. 1 overall, their first top QB selection since 2007.
General manager John Spytek said the team turned down trade offers and kept the pick for Mendoza.
Mendoza guided Indiana to a 16-0 season, its first national championship and first Big Ten title since 1967.
He will split the Raiders’ quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Aidan O’Connell.

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