TAMPA BAY, FL — Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania marked a historic evening for the Latino community around the globe as the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Cuban-American quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
The native of Miami, Florida, just the third Latino to ever get picked No. 1 overall in a NFL Draft, joining Mexican-American QBs Jim Plunkett and Bryce Young, became the first-ever Cuban-American to hear their name called at No. 1.
As he did so in College Football at Indiana University, setting new marks on the game by winning the Heisman Trophy and National Championship, Mendoza will look to do the same in Las Vegas as the franchise quarterback of the Raiders.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to work and prove (myself) at the next level. College was fantastic, I’m so blessed to have that career,” he said, choosing to celebrate and share the moment with a traditional lechón asado and large family gathering from his home in Coral Gables, Florida, rather than attending the NFL Draft in person.
“But now I step into a great game of the NFL, look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
Browns draft KC Concepcion with the 24th overall pick
Later on in the night, the Cleveland Browns, who had multiple first round picks, selected Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion with the 24th overall pick. Listed at 6-foot and 196 pounds, Concepcion is of Afro-Puerto Rican descent and takes great pride in his Latino heritage.
His roots trace back to his great-grandmother, Loyda Gonzalez, who was born in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, before moving to Rochester, New York.
In 2025, he was officially named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List, cementing his status as a leading representative of Latino excellence in modern football.
“My message to Browns fans is to get the popcorn ready,” Concepcion stated a few minutes after getting selected by Cleveland at his family draft party in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I’m ready right now. I’m ready to play (and) I’m ready to change the organization.”
At Texas A&M last season, Concepcion recorded 919 receiving yards on 61 receptions and had 10 touchdowns (nine receiving and one rushing).
Latinos still on NFL Draft boards as we head into Rounds 2-7
- Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
- Quarterback Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)
- Tight end Josh Cuevas (Alabama)
- Quarterback Joey Aguilar (Tennessee)
- Offensive Lineman Fernando Carmona Jr. (Arkansas)
- Offensive Lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. (Kansas)
- Linebacker Taurean York (Texas A&M)
For the NFL, this surge in Latino representation, as Mendoza and Concepcion are off the board after Round 1 with many more to come in Rounds 2-7, represents a bridge to a massive, football-loving fanbase and a new era of diverse leadership on the field.
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