NFL Draft Opens With Quarterback Focus Amid College Revenue Era
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The 2026 NFL Draft has begun, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. The draft reflects a landscape where college programs are spending heavily on athletes, particularly quarterbacks, who have commanded significant Name, Image, and Likeness valuations.
Facts First
- Fernando Mendoza is the No. 1 pick, signing a rookie deal exceeding $57 million.
- College revenue sharing is active, with top programs spending up to $20.5 million on athletes.
- Quarterbacks dominate high NIL valuations, with nearly half of the top 50 valuations in 2025 belonging to quarterbacks.
- The Ravens' draft board shows older players, with 18% of players now at least 24 years old.
- Several quarterbacks are projected for later rounds, including LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and Miami's Carson Beck.
What Happened
The 2026 NFL Draft commenced with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was selected as the No. 13 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. Mendoza's NFL rookie deal is slotted to exceed $57 million, including nearly $10.5 million in 2026. Simpson's contract is approximately $25.4 million total, including $4.6 million in the first year. The minimum salary for an NFL draft pick in 2026 is slotted at $915,120.
Why this Matters to You
The financial stakes for drafted players are significant, with top picks securing contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. For fans, the draft shapes the future of NFL teams and could influence the league's competitive balance for years. The draft also reflects the modern college football landscape, where the introduction of revenue sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has created a new financial ecosystem for student-athletes, which may affect the talent pipeline entering the NFL.
What's Next
Additional quarterback prospects, including LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and Miami's Carson Beck, are projected to be selected in the second or third round of the draft on Friday night. Other quarterbacks identified for potential selection include Drew Allar (Penn State), Taylen Green (Arkansas), Cole Payton (North Dakota State), Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), and Joey Aguilar (Tennessee). The draft process may continue to highlight the trend of older players entering the league, as evidenced by the Baltimore Ravens' draft board, which for the third consecutive year consists of 18% of players who are at least 24 years old.