When the Las Vegas Raiders made Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the immediate question was: How many of his Indiana Hoosiers teammates would follow him to Sin City?
As it turned out, the answer was none—at least not during the draft itself. Through all seven rounds, no other Hoosier heard their name called. But the Raiders wasted no time after the final pick, quickly signing three of Mendoza's college teammates as undrafted free agents.
Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. were the first to sign on April 30, followed five days later by wide receiver Jonathan Brady, who joined the roster after Las Vegas placed wideout Justin Shorter on the reserve/injured list.
This trio of Indiana products now joins Mendoza in the Raiders' rookie class, bringing the total number of Hoosiers on the roster to five—including veteran tight end Ian Thomas. But these undrafted newcomers have the potential to be much more than just familiar faces for their former quarterback.
With Mendoza's draft status guaranteeing his roster spot, the real battle begins for Hemby, Williams, and Brady. The Raiders' depth chart is wide open, and strong performances this offseason could earn them a spot on the 53-man roster or at least a practice squad position.
Let's break down what each of these undrafted rookies brings to the table.
Roman Hemby, Running Back
After transferring from Maryland, Hemby made an immediate impact in the Hoosiers' run game. The Edgewood, Maryland native carried the ball 230 times for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns, while also proving his versatility with 17 receptions for 165 yards through the air.
However, he'll face stiff competition in the Raiders' backfield. The room is led by Ashton Jeanty, the team's sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Boise State product—standing at 5-foot-8 and 208 pounds—is a compact, powerful runner with breakaway speed. Last season, Jeanty found the end zone 10 times (five rushing, five receiving) and fell just 25 yards short of the 1,000-yard rushing mark, finishing with 975 yards on 266 carries with a long of 64 yards.
The Raiders also added depth by selecting Arkansas running back [details continue], meaning Hemby will need to stand out in training camp to carve out a role.
E.J. Williams Jr., Wide Receiver
Williams brings size and experience to the Raiders' receiving corps. During his time at Indiana, he showed the ability to make contested catches and stretch the field. With the receiving depth chart still taking shape, Williams has a genuine opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
Jonathan Brady, Wide Receiver
The late addition to the undrafted class, Brady joins the Raiders with something to prove. His signing came after an injury opened up a spot, and he'll be eager to make the most of his opportunity. Like Williams, Brady will be competing in a wide receiver room where playing time is up for grabs.
For these three Hoosiers, the path to the NFL is through hard work and standout performances in the coming weeks. While Mendoza's first-round status guarantees his place, Hemby, Williams, and Brady will have to earn theirs—and the Raiders' uncertain depth chart gives them every reason to believe they can.