Tom Brady welcomes Raiders No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza on social media
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For more than two dozen players, Thursday night marked the realization of lifelong NFL dreams. By the end of the night, 32 prospects will hear their names called at the NFL Draft stage in Pittsburgh.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tom Brady, shared a message with the league’s newest rookies while recounting the special moment experienced by many young people.
“Congratulations to all the rookies joining the NFL this weekend,” Brady wrote in a post to X. “I hope you appreciate this special moment. You’ve earned it through hard work, discipline and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone who supported you on your journey. But this is just the beginning.”
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Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium on October 5, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Brady then emphasized the challenges ahead, encouraging the rookies to focus on the next step.
“When you wake up tomorrow morning, know that your career will be defined by what happens in the future. To compete with the best in the world, you will need to take everything you do to the next level.”
The Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall selection card will be unveiled in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Brady wasn’t in the Raiders draft room, but he still had a message for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza: “Welcome to Las Vegas @fernandomendoza. Time to practice. @Raiders.”
The Raiders’ first pick has a long road ahead of him to match the 199th pick the New England Patriots had in 2000, which is where Brady was drafted.
Mendoza said Brady sent a clear message during his official visit to the Raiders in the days before the draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“He was great. He gave me the message that he was going to push me and not be that loving. And he said if the Raiders draft me, he’s going to be a mentor and wants to contribute to the quarterback the Raiders have – whether they draft me or someone else.”
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Other notable moves in the first round included the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to the No. 6 pick and LSU selecting cornerback Mansoor Delane. Shortly thereafter, the Cowboys shook things up and moved up to the 11th pick to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
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