Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fernando Mendoza spent three years at California before transferring to Indiana for 2025
CommentsThe NFL Draft is always full of surprises and last year's event provided one of the biggest yet.
The initial favourite to be the first overall pick, Shedeur Sanders, was ultimately selected in the fifth round - with the 144th pick.
The quarterback's dramatic draft slide sparked a social media storm in the US. Even President Donald Trump was stunned., external
It would be a huge shock if fellow quarterback Fernando Mendoza is not the first name read out at this year's event, which begins on Thursday (Friday BST).
But beyond that, there is sure to be plenty more drama as NFL teams take it in turn to choose the best of this year's young talent.
A total of 257 players will be selected over seven rounds, spread over three days.
All 32 teams have one pick in each round - unless they have agreed trades - and go in the reverse order of last season's standings, so the team with the worst record gets the first pick and Super Bowl winners Seattle go last.
Four teams finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record - and the Las Vegas Raiders secured the first pick via a strength-of-schedule tie-breaker.
Their opponents last season were deemed weaker than those faced by the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, who have the next three picks respectively.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jeremiyah Love (left), Fernando Mendoza (second left) and Diego Pavia (second right) were Heisman Trophy finalists in 2025
The Raiders need a quarterback and Fernando Mendoza is the standout from this year's prospects having led Indiana to their first national championship and won the Heisman Trophy, which goes to the year's best college player.
The 22-year-old is set to emulate Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020) by being the Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year.
The Jets and Cardinals also need a quarterback but this year's draft class is not strong for QBs.
Although six of the first 12 picks in 2024 were quarterbacks, Mendoza could be the only one selected in this year's first round, with Alabama's Ty Simpson the only other seen as a potential day-one selection.
Carson Beck slipped out of first-round contention after a poor year with Georgia, but then led Miami to the national championship game and could be picked up as a development project.
Other intriguing quarterbacks are the athletic Cole Payton, who impressed at the NFL Combine and could be used as a hybrid player like Taysom Hill, and the 5ft 10in Diego Pavia, who defied the odds with Vanderbilt to become the Heisman runner-up and could be a late-round gamble.
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Published23 April 2019Who are the other key players?Mendoza has opted to share the draft experience with his family in Miami so will not be among the 16 prospects attending the event in Pittsburgh.