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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 from the NFL Draft stage in Pittsburgh.
Seven-time Super Bowl winner and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady reflected on the special moment so many young men experienced while also sharing a message with the league’s newest rookies.
“Congratulations to all the rookies joining the NFL this weekend,” Brady wrote in a post to X. “I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you’ve earned it through hard work, discipline and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey who has supported you. But this is just the beginning.”
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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 emphasized the challenge ahead and urged the rookies to focus on what’s next.
“When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career is going to be defined by what happens next. You’re going to have to take everything you do to the next level to compete with the best in the world.”
The Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick card is displayed during Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (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 go to work. @Raiders.”
The Raiders’ top pick has a long way to go to match what the New England Patriots found at No. 199 in 2000 — the spot where 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, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“It was great. He gave me the message that he’s going to push me and he’s not going crazy. And that if the Raiders draft me, he’s going to be a mentor and he’s going to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have — whether it’s me, whether they draft someone 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. A short time later, the Cowboys shook things up and traded up to No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
