By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: BBC
NFL Draft Day 1 is in the books. Players had their names called and shared beautiful moments with their loved ones.
Fernando Mendoza was selected as the first overall draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza is coming to a franchise where Tom Brady is one of the owners. It’s going to be a challenge and fulfilling experience for Mendoza once he arrives at training camp.
The NFL draft was in Pittsburgh, but Mendoza decided to stay home with his family. Mendoza is a family man and a person of faith. His mom, who is in a wheelchair, has been battling MS since Mendoza was four years old. Getting drafted by an NFL team makes the whole family proud, and they continued to win. Mendoza is already showered with endorsement deals, and he’s going to earn guaranteed money from the Raiders.
The New York Jets selected edge rusher David Bailey out of Texas Tech with the second overall pick. He’s the 2025 first-team All-American, and he was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman and Newcomer of the Year. Bailey is a game breaker, and we believe that he will be ready to make an immediate impact for the Jets. Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks last season, the most in FBS. In addition, he had 79 pressures, which were second in the FBS.
The amazing running back out of Notre Dame, Jeremiah Love, was selected as the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Love was the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner, the highest honor for the nation’s top running backs. Love finished the 2025 season with 21 total touchdowns, which is a school record. He finished fourth in FBS in scrimmage yards per game (137.7). Love is an explosive running back, and the Cardinals got themselves a great one.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are proud of their own getting drafted. Wide receiver Carnell state is going to the Tennessee Titans, selecting him as the fourth overall pick. Tate led the Big Ten in six reception touchdowns on contested targets. He’s the sixth Buckeye wide receiver to be taken in the first round since 2022. This shows how elite Ohio State’s program is. The school knows how to bring in great products and make them even better. It’s going to be fun to watch him and Cam Ward work together.
One of the best moments of the night is edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who’s staying in Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Bain Jr as the No. 15 pick in the draft. Bain was the leader of the Miami Hurricanes’ defense last season. Bain finished with 54 tackles, 15.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks. Bain will fit perfectly in Todd Bowles’ defense system.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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