Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love have been selected among the invitees for the 2026 NFL Players Rookie Premiere, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The annual event, hosted by the NFL Players Association, brings incoming first-year professionals to Los Angeles starting May 14 to navigate the league’s business landscape, try on their new team uniforms, and establish commercial partnerships.
The Business Side of the NFL Beckons in Los Angeles
For players making the monumental leap from college powerhouses to the professional ranks, the Rookie Premiere serves as an essential introduction to the commercial ecosystem of professional football. According to league reporting, the multi-day gathering in Southern California gives top draft selections an early platform to meet with corporate partners, build their personal brands, and ink marketing deals before they ever take a regular-season snap. The Raiders secured Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, while the Cardinals added Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, positioning both rookies at the forefront of their respective franchise’s commercial and on-field futures.
Mendoza Arrives in Las Vegas with Heavy Expectations
Fernando Mendoza touches down in Las Vegas carrying some of the impressive collegiate credentials in recent memory. According to compiled records, the star quarterback enters his rookie season following a stellar 2025 campaign where he earned Heisman Trophy honors and anchored Indiana to a national championship. Across 16 starts last year, Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his throws for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against six interceptions. His dual-threat capabilities also caused problems for opposing defenses, as he rushed for seven additional touchdowns on the ground.
Love Projected as an Offensive Cornerstone in Arizona
In Arizona, Jeremiyah Love steps into an offensive unit looking to harness the playmaking he displayed at Notre Dame. During a dominant 2025 collegiate season spanning 12 games, Love racked up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while maintaining an impressive average of 6.9 yards per carry. He also proved equally dangerous out of the backfield as a pass-catcher, securing 27 receptions for 280 yards and three scores. That versatile skill set forms the basis of expectations for his impact in the Cardinals’ backfield.
.jpg?w=1120&h=630 "Photo: bleacherreport.com")
The 2026 NFL Players Rookie Premiere begins on May 14 in Los Angeles, marking the official opening for the league’s newest commercial stars to build their brands alongside their team identities.
