{"id":3882,"date":"2026-01-20T08:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T00:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/20\/raiders-on-fernando-mendozas-draft-watch-owner-on-cfp-sidelines\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T09:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T01:31:46","slug":"raiders-on-fernando-mendozas-draft-watch-owner-on-cfp-sidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/20\/raiders-on-fernando-mendozas-draft-watch-owner-on-cfp-sidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Raiders on Fernando Mendoza’s draft watch: Owner on CFP sidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"


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All eyes were on Fernando Mendoza on Monday as he warmed up on the field and prepared to lead the Indiana Hoosiers into the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. But there was one group in the building whose power in watching Mendoza was a little higher than most.<\/p>\n

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and general manager John Spytek were spotted on the sidelines by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, presumably to get one in-game look at the No. 1 pick target in the 2026 NFL draft (as predicted in USA TODAY’s latest mock draft). The Raiders, who finished the season with the worst record in the league at 4-13, held that.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

To clear up any remaining ambiguity as to why they were there, franchise owner Tom Brady was later seen standing next to Davis and Spytek wearing a silver hoodie with “Raiders” emblazoned across the chest.<\/p>\n

As explained in USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Mendoza has absolutely no competition for the top spot on the roster, even now that Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has decided to stay in school for another year. The Raiders have been in desperate need of a signal caller since parting ways with Derek Carr at the end of the 2022 season, so it seems inevitable that Mendoza will get a call from the Las Vegas brass this spring.<\/p>\n

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1<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>\n
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1. New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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1. New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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2<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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2. New York Jets \u2013 Arvell Reese, LB\/DE, Ohio State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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3<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, DE\/OLB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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4<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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4. Tennessee Titans \u2013 Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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5<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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5. New York Giants \u2013 Spencer Fano, OT, Utah<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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6<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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6. Cleveland Browns \u2013 Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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7<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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7. Washington Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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8<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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9<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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9. Kansas City Chiefs \u2013 Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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10<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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10. Cincinnati Bengals \u2013 Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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11<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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12<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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13<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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14<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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14. Baltimore Ravens \u2013 Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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15<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers \u2013 Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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16<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) \u2013 Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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17<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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17. Detroit Lions – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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18<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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18. Minnesota Vikings \u2013 Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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19<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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19. Carolina Panthers \u2013 Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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20<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) \u2013 Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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21<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers \u2013 Makai Lemon, WR, USC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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22<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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22. Los Angeles Chargers \u2013 Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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23<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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23. Philadelphia Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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24<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) \u2013 KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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25<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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25. Chicago Bears \u2013 Caleb Banks, DT, Florida<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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26<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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26. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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27<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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28<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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28. Houston Texans \u2013 Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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29<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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29. Los Angeles Rams \u2013 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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30<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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30. New England Patriots \u2013 Zion Young, DE, Missouri<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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31<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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31. Denver Broncos \u2013 CJ Allen, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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32<\/span> \/ 32<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NFL mock draft: Where do the top stars of the College Football Playoff rate?<\/h2>
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32. Seattle Seahawks \u2013 Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: The best and worst of the split cycle.<\/em><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Miami Raiders to watch Fernando Mendoza in national championship<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

All eyes were on Fernando Mendoza on Monday as he warmed up on the field and prepared to lead the Indiana Hoosiers into the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. But there was one group in the building whose power in watching Mendoza was a little higher than most. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3882"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3882\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3884,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3882\/revisions\/3884"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insightresearcher.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}