Sources: Mendoza not planning to attend draft
Why it matters: The NFL draft's first round will proceed on April 23 in Pittsburgh without its projected top pick.
- Fernando Mendoza informed the NFL he will not attend the draft to share the experience with his family in Miami (per ESPN's Adam Schefter).
- Mendoza is the projected No. 1 pick and widely expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Mendoza was scheduled to visit the Raiders in Las Vegas on Tuesday (a source told Schefter last week).
- Mendoza joins a list of recent top picks, including Travon Walker (2022) and Trevor Lawrence (2021), who also opted for private draft celebrations.
Projected No. 1 NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza will not attend the draft in Pittsburgh, opting instead to celebrate with his family in Miami, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to a College Football Playoff championship, is widely expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
