Though he hasn’t declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, many are expecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to play for the Las Vegas Raiders next season. The team owns the No. 1 pick and has a big need at quarterback.
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and has all the traits an NFL team is looking for in a franchise quarterback. The Raiders have been a revolving door at quarterback since moving on from Derek Carr, and can’t afford to keep putting stopgap options in the position.
Former head coach Antonio Pierce knows well how difficult it is to win without a good quarterback. He also knows how chaotic the Raiders organization is. He believes that Mendoza is exactly what the team needs, but did throw some shade at the franchise in the process.
“We know one thing is that they need a quarterback,” Pierce said on CBS Sports. “I think he is option No. 1. Listen, you can take nothing away from the kid. He is a proven winner. For an organization like the Raiders, there is always something going on. You probably need a guy like this in front of your room at the quarterback position. So, I think that will be a good pick for the Raiders.”
Pierce Isn’t Wrong
Pierce is clearly salty about only getting one year with the Raiders. In hindsight, he should’ve gotten another season to show what he can do. The Raiders always find themselves at the center of some type of drama.
There’s only so much Mendoza can do as the starting quarterback, but having a grown-up at the position would help. Geno Smith added to the drama this season when he decided to flip a middle finger at a home fan after a loss. It’s safe to say that Mendoza would never do something like that.
It remains to be seen if he has the talent to solve the Raiders’ issues, but if the front office can surround him with the right pieces, it’s easy to see him having a lot of success.
Is Mendoza Right Raiders Fit?
Mendoza hasn’t even finished the college football season yet, so there’s still tape of him that will come out. If he looks great and wins the National Championship, he’s going to be as close to a lock at No. 1 as there can be.
Dan Pizzuta of Yahoo Sports thinks he’s the best draft fit for the Raiders.
“The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick and need a quarterback,” Pizzuta wrote. “This is as simple and clean a fit as there will be the entire draft. Mendoza is accurate with strong arm talent, he can operate well from the pocket, he has a high football IQ and he’s a good enough athlete to keep plays alive under duress. This should be the Raiders’ guy.”
Oregon’s Dante Moore can make things interesting if he beats Mendoza in the College Football Playoff, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s going to be hard for him to overcome the Indiana quarterback on most draft boards.
Antonio Pierce Gives Brutally Honest Take on Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders Fit