The 2026 NFL Draft just happened, and let me tell you, I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s no secret that I’m a Raiders fan, and if you’ve been following the NFL, you know that these past couple years have been rough. Like, really rough. So you can imagine my genuine excitement when my team got the first overall pick, and you could probably imagine my excitement even more when I watched Fernando Mendoza (the guy we drafted) win the national championship with the Indiana Hoosiers this January.
We knew this pick was coming. It was like when the Bears drafted Caleb Williams in 2024. EVERYBODY knew he was coming to Vegas. But being a Raiders fan, I also wouldn’t put it past my team to mess it up and pick another player. For context, the last time we picked first overall was in 2007, where we picked JaMarcus Russell. Coming off his hot season at LSU, the Raiders thought they were picking up a franchise guy. They were so wrong. JaMarcus Russell turned out to be one of the biggest busts in NFL history. They probably picked up on that when he withheld from going to training camp after contract disputes, or when he said “Looks good!” after his coach handed him blank tapes to see if watched film or not, but I digress.
Fernando Mendoza is the best pick I’ve ever seen. He is so awesome. The way he moves on the field is something else, and his energy is infectious. He is definitely someone who can change the culture of a franchise who so desperately needs it, especially paired up with Klint Kubiak, Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and so many other top players. I’m really excited to see what they get up to next season now that Geno Smith is gone…
We also drafted a ton of great new talent in the backfield, with safety Treydan Stukes and corner Jermod McCoy. They definitely needed it after a shaky performance last season from our defense (not you though, Maxx Crosby, you’re perfect).
Featured image: Raiders.com
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