Fernando Mendoza Plans To Watch Draft At Home; Will Still Likely Go No. 1 Overall

Projected No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, has told the NFL he doesn’t plan to attend the NFL Draft.

Mendoza plans to watch the NFL Draft with his family in Miami. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick and are reportedly planning to take Mendoza.

2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward was present at the draft to hear his name called by the Tennessee Titans. However, No. 1 overall picks haven’t been showing up to the draft as much in recent years. Myles Garrett, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence and Travon Walker all didn’t attend the draft. In fairness to Burrow, the draft was in commissioner Roger Goodell’s house due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so he didn’t have much say in the matter. 

In the early days of the NFL Draft, it wasn’t televised. This meant if you weren’t present at the NFL Draft, you could go hours, if not days, without knowing if or when you were drafted. Even after the NFL Draft began being televised in 1980, being in the draft room gave prospects early access to news about their draft prospects.

However, in 2026, players receive information about their draft spot via text. Being at the draft has very little upside outside of Goodell giving you the team’s jersey and cap. 

For some prospects, being in the draft room can backfire. In 2018, Lamar Jackson sat patiently for his name to be called. The Baltimore Ravens eventually took him with the No. 32 overall pick. Jackson’s being at the draft sparked conversation about how long it took him to be drafted.  

Shedeur Sanders got an even worse fate. He went undrafted in the first round despite being at the draft. 

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

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Article by Matthew Mendives