The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and teams will continue to take swings at the most important position in football until they find their franchise cornerstone. For the New Orleans Saints, the upcoming season could prove to be pivotal in determining whether they’ve already found that player—or if it’s time to reload and aim once again. If early projections are any indication, the Saints may already be planning for the future under center.
In a recent “way-too-early” 2026 NFL mock draft compiled by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, the Saints are predicted to go all-in on a new quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. And no, it’s not one of the familiar names from current college football headlines or high school phenoms hyped since their sophomore years. Instead, the Saints are projected to land Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza—someone who could go from under-the-radar to top draft pick within the next 18 months.
Mendoza, who transferred to Indiana from the California Golden Bears, is already gaining attention as a potential breakout star heading into the upcoming college football season. Standing at a prototypical size and possessing a strong arm and poise in the pocket, Mendoza has all the physical tools that NFL teams crave. While he’s still relatively unknown to casual fans, that anonymity isn’t expected to last long.
The Saints’ decision to draft Mendoza with the first overall pick in this mock signals that the franchise might not be fully convinced by their current quarterback situation, featuring recent acquisitions Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Both players have intriguing upside—Shough as a big-bodied passer with flashes of brilliance, and Rattler as a once highly-touted recruit with undeniable arm talent—but the jury remains out on whether either can cement themselves as the long-term answer in New Orleans.
If the Saints end up with the top pick in 2026, that would likely mean that neither quarterback took the reins this season in a convincing way. And that’s where Mendoza enters the picture. With a strong 2025 season at Indiana, he could skyrocket up draft boards in much the same way Joe Burrow did during his final year at LSU or how Zach Wilson turned heads at BYU.
At 22 years old by the time the 2026 NFL Draft arrives, Mendoza will have the maturity and experience that teams often look for in a top prospect. Scouts and front offices are expected to be intrigued by his football IQ, pocket presence, and ability to lead a team—qualities that could make him a top-tier quarterback option when the time comes.
This pick may seem bold now, especially in a mock draft featuring high school talent and unpredictable future projections, but it reflects a larger truth about the NFL: teams like the Saints cannot afford to settle at quarterback. They must be aggressive, forward-thinking, and always ready to make a move when the right player emerges.
Should Mendoza live up to the early hype, New Orleans may have the opportunity to reboot their franchise around a young quarterback with tremendous potential. And while it’s far too early to make concrete predictions, this early glimpse at the 2026 draft hints that the Saints could be prepared to make a bold play for the future of their offense.