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Top QB Prospect Skips NFL Draft Green Room
7 Apr
Summary
- Projected top pick Fernando Mendoza will not attend the NFL Draft.
- Draft attendance has declined since 2020, averaging 16 players.
- Mendoza is expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Projected top NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza will not attend the upcoming draft event in Pittsburgh. This decision aligns with a recent trend where fewer prospects choose to participate in person. Since 2020, the average number of players attending the draft's green room has fallen to 16, a decrease from the previous decade's average of 24.
The Las Vegas Raiders are heavily favored to select Mendoza with the first overall pick. The team's general manager and coach met with the quarterback recently, signaling strong interest. Should Mendoza be drafted first overall and not attend, he would join a short list of top picks who have opted out of the in-person ceremony, similar to Travon Walker in 2022 and Trevor Lawrence in 2021.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23rd to April 25th. Round 1 will be held on April 23rd, with subsequent rounds on April 24th and 25th. While Mendoza will not be in Pittsburgh, broadcasts are expected to feature live reaction footage from his chosen viewing location.
