The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 22-year-old was the overwhelming favourite for the honour, having been named the best player in college football last season, when he led Indiana to their first national championship.

He becomes just the third player to be the Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year, after Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020).

Mendoza did not attend the start of the three-day event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as he opted to share the moment with his family at home in Miami.

The strongest area in this year's draft class was thought to be the defensive front and the New York Jets took pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick.

Yet the next two picks were both offensive players, with the Arizona Cardinals selecting running back Jeremiyah Love before the Tennessee Titans sprang a surprise by taking wide receiver Carnell Tate.

The New York Giants then boosted their defence with pass rusher Arvell Reese before the Kansas City Chiefs, keen to rebuild after missing out on the play-offs for the first time since the 2014 season, traded up from the ninth spot to sixth to take cornerback Mansoor Delane.

The NFL's next superstar and how mum's struggle inspired rise to top

Get American Football news sent straight to your phone