{"id":30801,"date":"2026-03-03T02:47:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T07:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nfl-draft-buzz-mendoza-expected-top-pick-as-teams-eye-major-player-moves\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T02:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T07:47:55","slug":"nfl-draft-buzz-mendoza-expected-top-pick-as-teams-eye-major-player-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nfl-draft-buzz-mendoza-expected-top-pick-as-teams-eye-major-player-moves\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Draft Buzz: Mendoza Expected Top Pick as Teams Eye Major Player Moves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As college athletes showcase their talents at the NFL scouting combine, professional teams are simultaneously planning significant roster changes while assessing potential draft selections.<\/p>

Heisman Trophy recipient Fernando Mendoza stands as the overwhelming favorite to be chosen first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, with questions remaining about whether any other quarterback will be taken in the opening round.<\/p>

However, considerable discussion surrounded veteran quarterbacks potentially switching franchises during the action-packed Indianapolis event.<\/p>

The Atlanta Falcons have already notified Kirk Cousins that he will be cut loose once the new league year begins March 11. Miami may decide to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, though doing so could result in a massive $99.2 million dead money penalty that might be divided over two years with a post-June 1 designation.<\/p>

After seven years with Arizona, Kyler Murray might be seeking a fresh start elsewhere. The Cardinals must pay him $36.8 million in guaranteed money this season, with another $19.5 million becoming guaranteed for 2027 if he remains on the roster through the third day of the new league year.<\/p>

Despite helping the Philadelphia Eagles capture a Super Bowl title, three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown has emerged as a potential trade candidate, though the organization would rather retain his services.<\/p>

Las Vegas has indicated willingness to entertain proposals for five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby, although general manager John Spytek expressed desire to bring him back.<\/p>

Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans of Tampa Bay intends to explore free agency and might receive an irresistible opportunity elsewhere.<\/p>

Mendoza, who guided Indiana to their inaugural national title, chose not to participate in combine drills but conducted media interviews and team meetings.<\/p>

The quarterback chosen after Mendoza may face a lengthy wait. Alabama’s Ty Simpson delivered an outstanding combine performance and despite being a single-season starter requiring additional development, his upside could warrant first-round consideration.<\/p>

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Miami’s Carson Beck enhanced their draft positioning at the combine. Arkansas’ Taylen Green displayed impressive athletic ability, recording a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash time.<\/p>

Both Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Penn State’s Drew Allar demonstrated excellent arm strength during throwing sessions.<\/p>

The defensive line position features exceptional depth with multiple first-round prospects. NFL organizations prioritize players capable of pressuring quarterbacks, especially following two consecutive Super Bowls dominated by defensive units, further emphasizing the importance of elite front-four talent.<\/p>

Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, and Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. project as top-10 selections. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor represent additional first-round possibilities.<\/p>

Wide receiver offers substantial talent throughout the draft class, providing teams numerous options for offensive playmakers.<\/p>

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate leads this group and should hear his name called within the first 10 picks. USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Washington’s Denzel Boston, and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion all possess first-round capabilities.<\/p>

Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, and Georgia’s Zachariah Branch will generate significant interest. The receiver position runs so deep that undrafted players from this class could make meaningful contributions.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ top overall draft selection. Meanwhile, several veteran NFL stars including Kirk Cousins and A.J. Brown could be changing teams this offseason.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":30800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772524075053.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-80N","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":55015,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/heisman-winner-mendoza-welcomes-long-nfl-draft-journey-ahead-of-thursday\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":0},"title":"Heisman Winner Mendoza Welcomes Long NFL Draft Journey Ahead of Thursday","author":"Admin","date":"April 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza says he's enjoyed the lengthy NFL draft preparation process leading up to Thursday night. The quarterback, expected to go first overall, has met with multiple teams including the Las Vegas Raiders and formed a new partnership with Pfizer for cancer screening awareness.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776711132916.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776711132916.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776711132916.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776711132916.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48696,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/heisman-winner-mendoza-to-skip-nfl-draft-event-watch-from-miami-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":1},"title":"Heisman Winner Mendoza to Skip NFL Draft Event, Watch from Miami Home","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner projected as the top NFL draft pick, will skip the Pittsburgh draft ceremony to watch from Miami with loved ones. The quarterback is expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders on April 23.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775604999610.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775604999610.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775604999610.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775604999610.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56654,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/heisman-winner-fernando-mendoza-selected-first-overall-by-las-vegas-raiders\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":2},"title":"Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Selected First Overall by Las Vegas Raiders","author":"Admin","date":"April 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza expressed his excitement after being chosen as the top pick in Thursday's NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Heisman Trophy winner led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and national championship before entering the draft.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776997345887.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":56311,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nfl-draft-begins-tonight-in-pittsburgh-with-257-dreams-on-the-line\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":3},"title":"NFL Draft Begins Tonight in Pittsburgh with 257 Dreams on the Line","author":"Admin","date":"April 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh with 257 players hoping to hear their names called over three days. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the first pick by Las Vegas, though he'll celebrate at home with family instead of attending the event.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776948709122.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776948709122.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776948709122.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776948709122.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46426,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/veteran-qb-kirk-cousins-signs-with-raiders-to-mentor-top-draft-pick-mendoza\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":4},"title":"Veteran QB Kirk Cousins Signs with Raiders to Mentor Top Draft Pick Mendoza","author":"Admin","date":"April 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Las Vegas Raiders have signed experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins to help develop expected first overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. The 37-year-old veteran brings 14 seasons of NFL experience to guide the Heisman Trophy winner's transition to professional football.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775150478989.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775150478989.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775150478989.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775150478989.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46003,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/heisman-winner-mendoza-shines-at-indiana-pro-day-ahead-of-nfl-draft\/","url_meta":{"origin":30801,"position":5},"title":"Heisman Winner Mendoza Shines at Indiana Pro Day Ahead of NFL Draft","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza delivered an outstanding performance at Indiana's pro day Wednesday, with all 32 NFL teams sending scouts to watch. The quarterback, expected to be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, completed roughly 56 passes and showed up 11 pounds heavier than his college\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775086699392.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775086699392.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775086699392.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775086699392.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}