In a highly anticipated move, the Raiders have selected former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. For those who placed bets on this outcome at -20000 odds, it's time to celebrate. Mendoza, who captured the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship, is now the centerpiece of the Raiders' future. A key question remains: when will Mendoza take the field? It is expected that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will serve as the starter until Mendoza is fully prepared. Recent trends show that first-round draft picks often play sooner rather than later. For instance, Patrick Mahomes spent his entire rookie season on the bench, a strategy that ultimately proved successful. Regardless, the Raiders, a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2002, are optimistic that Mendoza will help change their fortunes.