|
|
|
|
Printable Page
04/24 00:41 CDT QB Fernando Mendoza, edge rusher David Bailey, running back
Jeremiyah Love go 1-2-3 in the NFL draft
QB Fernando Mendoza, edge rusher David Bailey, running back Jeremiyah Love go
1-2-3 in the NFL draft
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) --- Fernando Mendoza's journey from overlooked two-star recruit
to the top of the NFL draft is complete after the Las Vegas Raiders took him
with the first pick Thursday night.
Turning the Raiders into a contender is the next challenge for the Heisman
Trophy winner who led Indiana to its first national championship.
The 22-year-old quarterback wasn't in the Steel City for the festivities,
choosing instead to celebrate with family and friends at home in Miami.
Mendoza flashed a big smile after Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his
name, put a Raiders cap on and began hugging his family while seated on the
couch, saving the warmest embrace for his mother.
He'll be heading to Las Vegas on Friday to begin an NFL career that may have
seemed improbable when few colleges were interested in him coming out of high
school.
"The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can't thank Him
enough," Mendoza said. "I'm just looking forward to get to work, prove it at
the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career, but
now I step into a great game, the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it
every single day."
Mendoza wasn't even a prominent prospect at this time last year. But he had a
sensational season with the Hoosiers, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535
yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Still, there are plenty of doubts about him in a quarterback-thin draft class.
He's determined to prove any critics wrong again.
The Los Angeles Rams surprised draft experts by taking Alabama quarterback Ty
Simpson with the 13th pick. Simpson, who started just 15 games in college, was
among 16 prospects who came to Pittsburgh even though many draft boards had him
going in the second round.
Simpson exuded confidence when he walked the red carpet.
"Absolutely, I am confident," Simpson said. "That's why I decided to come out.
You know with the offensive infrastructure we had in Alabama with other coaches
and the offensive system, the weight room, everything was set up to better you
for the NFL. And that's why I stayed at 'Bama."
Mendoza's selection was expected for months. The intrigue began at No. 2 with
the New York Jets, who selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio
State edge Arvell Reese.
"It's surreal to me," Bailey said. "It's an awesome opportunity. I just want to
get in there and be a sponge and soak up everything."
Arizona took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third pick. Love
is the highest running back selected since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the New
York Giants in 2018.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate was picked fourth by Tennessee in a
surprise move that gives QB Cam Ward --- last year's No. 1 overall pick --- a
top target.
The Giants took Reese at No. 5, adding a potential elite rusher less than a
week after trading three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to
Cincinnati.
The Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Kansas
City sent Cleveland the ninth pick along with Nos. 74 and 148 to move up.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles went seventh to Washington, improving a
defense that allowed the most yards in the league last season.
New Orleans selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8, giving
QB Tyler Shough a 1-2 punch with Chris Olave.
Utah's Spencer Fano was the first offensive lineman chosen, going to Cleveland
with the ninth pick.
The Giants followed up with another offensive tackle, taking Miami's Francis
Mauigoa at No. 10.
The Cowboys moved up one spot to select versatile Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
at No. 11. Dallas sent Miami a pair of fifth-rounders and the 12th pick. The
Dolphins took Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
Baltimore chose Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14 with a pick they
had traded to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby but regained when they voided the
trade.
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was selected by Tampa Bay with the 15th pick,
giving the Buccaneers' dismal pass rush a possible game-changer who was
considered a top-10 talent.
"I know I'm the best in the country," Bain said. "I can do anything I put my
mind to because of my mindset."
The Jets selected the top tight end in the draft at No. 16, taking Oregon's
Kenyon Sadiq.
Detroit took Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th pick. The
Vikings chose Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks next at No. 18.
Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, once expected to be a top-10 pick,
was chosen by Carolina at No. 19.
The Eagles moved up to 20th in another pick swap involving division rivals and
took USC wideout Makai Lemon. Dallas got Philadelphia's 23rd pick plus two
fourth-rounders for No. 20 and a seventh.
Lemon thought he was heading to the Steelers.
"Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the
Eagles called at the same time. I guess it was meant to be. I'm super excited
to be in Philly," Lemon said.
Mendoza won't be rushed into the starting lineup by the Raiders, who haven't
won a playoff game in 24 years. He'll get a chance to learn from four-time Pro
Bowl QB Kirk Cousins and Raiders part-owner Tom Brady, the seven-time Super
Bowl champion who Mendoza grew up idolizing.
Mendoza is the fourth straight quarterback selected No. 1 overall following Cam
Ward, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young. It's the 10th time in 12 years a QB was
the first pick.
None of those 10 have won a Super Bowl, though Jared Goff and Joe Burrow each
started one.
In 2024, six QBs were among the top 12 picks. Four have already won playoff
games and Drake Maye was 2025 MVP runner-up and started the Super Bowl.
Goodell kicked off the night by walking on stage with Steelers stars T.J. Watt
and Cam Heyward, earning the customary boos that greet him each year at the
draft. The players waved yellow Terrible Towels while Goodell held his.
"C'mon, you can do better than that," Goodell said about the boos. "We have
over 300,000 people. Let's go. Let's hear you."
Heyward then introduced franchise greats Lynn Swann, Hines Ward and Terry
Bradshaw as a sea of Steelers fans roared.
The hometown fans seemed disappointed when the Steeelers selected Arizona State
offensive tackle Max Iheanachor 21st. It's the third time in four years
Pittsburgh has drafted an offensive tackle in the first round and fans were
hoping for a playmaker.
A pair of edge rushers went back-to-back to the Los Angeles Chargers and
Cowboys. Miami's Akheem Mesidor went at No. 22 to LA and Dallas took Central
Florida's Malachi Lawrence.
The Browns got Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion with the 24th pick, giving
Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson a potential top target.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman went to Chicago at No. 25, bolstering a
secondary that's lost several starters.
Houston took Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge with the 26th pick. San Diego
state cornerback Chris Johnson went to Miami at No. 27.
Another trade between divisional rivals moved the Patriots up to Buffalo's spot
and New England selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th pick.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters before the draft, saying he is
taking accountability for actions that have created a distraction for the
organization without addressing specifics about photos published recently of
him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort.
Vrabel will not be with the team for Day 3 of the draft on Saturday because he
plans to begin counseling this weekend.
The Chiefs chose Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods 29th. The Jets made a
deal to add a third first-rounder, acquiring San Francisco's 30th pick. New
York took Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr., drawing loud cheers from fans
chanting "J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!"
The Titans traded back into the first round, getting pick No. 31 that the Bills
acquired from New England and chose Auburn edge Keldric Faulk.
The Super Bowl champion Seahawks finished the draft by taking Notre Dame
running back Jadarian Price. He'll replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who
signed with the Chiefs.
Teams had eight minutes between picks, down from the previous 10, and the draft
finished in less than 3 1/2 hours.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
|
| Copyright DTN. All rights reserved. Disclaimer. |
|
