Overview
- The Week 17 loss to the Giants put Las Vegas in pole position for the 2026 NFL draft, and a Week 18 defeat to the Chiefs would lock in the top pick.
- Recent mock drafts from CBS Sports and Bleacher Report, along with NFL Mock Draft Database trends, increasingly slot Indiana Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at No. 1.
- Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer cautions that Oregon’s Dante Moore could challenge Mendoza for QB1 if he declares before the January 23 deadline.
- Analysts describe the 2026 quarterback pool as thinner than expected, increasing the likelihood of trade-up scenarios for teams hunting a passer.
- Commentary around Las Vegas emphasizes the urgency to secure a franchise quarterback, with Jaxson Dart’s performance against the Raiders cited as a fresh reminder of the position’s impact.