PITTSBURGH — The speculation ends tonight as the real NFL Draft gets underway in Pittsburgh.
Over the next three days, 257 college football players will achieve their lifelong goal when their names are announced, marking the end of years filled with dedication and personal sacrifice.
Thursday evening’s opening round begins when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps onto the stage at the main theater near Acrisure Stadium to reveal the Las Vegas Raiders’ choice for the top selection. Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana to their first national championship, is widely expected to be Las Vegas’s pick. It would be shocking if he ends up anywhere else.
The composed and refined Mendoza will have the opportunity to develop under Kirk Cousins while working with part-owner Tom Brady, the legendary seven-time Super Bowl winner who is eager to share his knowledge.
Though 16 other prospects will participate in the celebration and get their moment to embrace Goodell on stage, Mendoza is staying home in Miami with his loved ones. His mother, Elsa Mendoza, battles multiple sclerosis, making travel challenging for her.
“I’ve done so much traveling this year, it’s a lot easier for my mom and her health is at the forefront,” Mendoza said. “We need to hop on a plane the next day for whatever team drafts me and to be there with the village that’s poured into me — friends, family, coaches, mentors — to be there with all of them and to share the start of this NFL journey, it’s going to create the best memory for our family.”
Mendoza joins four other top picks from recent in-person drafts who chose family celebrations over the public ceremony — Travon Walker (2022), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Baker Mayfield (2018) and Myles Garrett (2017). The 2020 draft was conducted remotely due to the pandemic.
The major uncertainty surrounds the New York Jets’ second overall selection. The choice likely comes down to Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, both considered elite pass rushers. However, the Jets could surprise everyone with an unexpected pick.
Following Mendoza’s selection, quarterback picks may become scarce. Alabama’s Ty Simpson appears to be the next signal-caller in line. He’s attending the draft festivities but may need to wait until Friday’s second round to hear his name.
“I can’t control how people think,” Simpson said Wednesday. “All I can control is how I play and how much of a player I can be so wherever I go, whoever gets me, I’m gonna make sure that’s what I do wherever that is.”
This year’s opening round should move more quickly than previous years since teams now have eight minutes between selections instead of the previous 10-minute window.
