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For more than two dozen players, Thursday night marks the realization of their lifelong NFL dreams. By the end of the night, 32 prospects will hear their names called at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Tom Brady, seven-time Super Bowl winner and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, reflected on the special moment so many young men were experiencing, while sharing a message with the league’s new rookies.
“Congratulations to all the rookies joining the NFL this weekend,” Brady wrote in a message to
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Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium on October 5, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Brady then highlighted the challenge ahead, urging the rookies to focus on what’s next.
“When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career will be defined by what happens in the future. You will need to take everything you do to the next level in order to compete with the best in the world.”
The Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall draft card is displayed during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee 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 get to work. @Raiders.”
The Raiders’ first-round pick still has a long way to go to match what the New England Patriots found at 199th overall in 2000 — the place Brady was drafted.
Mendoza said Brady delivered a direct message during his official visit with the Raiders in the days leading up to the draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“It was fantastic. He gave me the message that he was going to push me, and that he wouldn’t be completely in love. And that if the Raiders drafted me, he would be a mentor and would want to invest in any quarterback the Raiders had – whether it was me, whether they drafted anyone else.”
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Other notable moves in the first round included the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to No. 6 and selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Shortly after, the Cowboys made a move, moving up 11th overall to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
