Mendoza to Raiders? Scouts Rave About Top Pick’s Presence

Mendoza Dazzles at Pro Day, Eyes Raiders’ Top Pick

Fernando Mendoza isn’t just a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion; he’s looking like the presumptive number one overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mendoza took center stage at Indiana’s Pro Day, showing off his skills for a crowd of eager scouts. Lewis Riddick, on hand for NFL Live, was thoroughly impressed, not just by Mendoza’s arm talent, but by his commanding presence.

“The thing that’s most impressive though about Fernando really doesn’t have anything to do with the field,” Riddick explained. “It’s his presence. It’s when you sit and you talk to him, you look him in the eye. You look at his body type. You look at the way in which he kind of gets on with the rest of his teammates, with his coaches.”

Mendoza ran the workout like a seasoned pro, announcing each receiver and their route before the snap. He even called for breaks when he saw his teammates getting tired. This leadership off the field is just as important as his performance on it. Riddick highlighted Mendoza’s ability to execute complex plays, like operating from under center, executing various step drops, and throwing on the move with both touch and power. “He has all of that. He showed all of that,” Riddick confirmed.

Mendoza’s Numbers Speak for Themselves

Skeptics might question if Pro Day performance translates to game action, but Mendoza’s college career provides a resounding answer. He threw for an incredible 41 touchdowns while leading Indiana to a national title and winning the Heisman Trophy. “He was doing something pretty good when it was actually 11 on 11 with pads, too,” Riddick added.

Mendoza has seemingly aced the entire draft process. He played at the highest level possible in college, and when assessed for his football smarts and character, he grades out as an “A+”. Riddick believes Mendoza is a “slam dunk number one overall pick for the Las Vegas Raiders” and would be shocked if it doesn’t happen.

Teammate Focus and Raider Fit

In a sit-down interview, Mendoza revealed his motivation for his Pro Day performance. “My thing is I wanted to best serve my teammates,” he stated. He aimed to give his teammates, nine of whom are eligible for the draft, the best possible showcase for all 32 NFL teams. He focused on routes and timing applicable to the NFL game, ensuring his teammates could translate their skills.

Dan Graziano, Field Yates, and Booger McFarland discussed Mendoza’s likely destination: the Raiders. McFarland emphasized Mendoza’s all-around game. “He’s the best quarterback that’s available to be drafted this year,” McFarland said. He pointed to Mendoza’s size (6’4″, 230 pounds), accuracy, and decision-making as key strengths. “His decision-making and his ability to process information. Those things get my ears perked up,” McFarland noted.

Toughness and Potential Concerns

McFarland also highlighted Mendoza’s toughness, both mental and physical. He recalled the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State, where Mendoza took a hard hit early but bounced back to perform at a high level. “He checks all the boxes,” McFarland concluded.

However, there are areas for Mendoza to develop. Two seasons ago at Cal, he was sacked frequently. While he improved significantly this past year, cutting sacks by about 50%, it’s still a concern for the NFL. Clint Kubiak, the Raiders’ head coach, will need to work on Mendoza’s sack avoidance. The consequences of sacks are much higher in the NFL than in college, where Indiana was dominant.

Veteran Presence Key for Rookie QB

The conversation then turned to the importance of a veteran presence in the quarterback room for a rookie like Mendoza. “I think you got to have a veteran in there, man. Like being a rookie in the National Football League is hard,” McFarland stated. He believes a veteran can help a young quarterback navigate the league and understand the nuances of the game.

“I think the Raiders will be making a mistake if they don’t have a veteran in the quarterback room and in the locker room with him and also if they don’t have a veteran that starts game one,” McFarland strongly advised. He feels throwing Mendoza in immediately without a seasoned mentor could be detrimental.

Kirk Cousins: The Ideal Mentor?

The name that surfaced as a potential veteran mentor for Mendoza is Kirk Cousins. Cousins, who recently mentored Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta, has experience in this exact role. Field Yates suggested Cousins could be a great fit, understanding that his time in Atlanta might have prepared him for a mentorship position.

However, Booger McFarland raised a valid point: Kirk Cousins still wants to play. “Kirk Cousins wants to play. Like that’s the reason he doesn’t want to be in Atlanta anymore,” McFarland said. While Cousins is a great guy and could be a fantastic mentor someday, his immediate desire is to compete as a starter. The Raiders might need to find a veteran with no intention of starting, someone willing to step aside when Mendoza is ready.

The Raiders, with only one quarterback on their roster currently, Aidan O’Connell, who has limited starting experience, have a lot riding on Mendoza. The team’s future hinges on his development. The question remains: who will be the veteran presence to guide him? The answer could significantly impact Mendoza’s transition to the NFL and the Raiders’ success in the coming seasons.

Source: Field Yates says Kirk Cousins would be a great vet for Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas 👀 | NFL Live (YouTube)