Several NFL Draft experts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., have the Las Vegas Raiders selecting former Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza as their franchise signal-caller. Nonetheless, the Silver and Black will need to do their due diligence to ensure he is the right guy for them.
With the draft process already underway and the scouting combine right around the corner later this month (from Feb. 22 to March 2), Mendoza will have the opportunity to sell himself to the Raiders to let them know he’s their guy.
Moreover, on Feb. 6, during an appearance on “Up& Adams,” Mendoza sent a message to Raiders minority owner Tom Brady.
“[It] would be great to learn Tom Brady’s pliability routines at Planet Fitness because he’s been in the game for so long, has had such a long career,” Mendoza said. “I would love to work out with him one day to see what he does and the TB12 Method. Although I’ve read the book, [I would like to] see it firsthand.”
Mendoza went into detail about his admiration for Brady, who was in attendance to watch the draft prospect in person during the national title game against the Miami Hurricanes.
“I actually didn’t know he was there until after the game,” Mendoza added. “That was special to me. I’ve looked up to Tom Brady [and] he’s has been a football idol of mine, especially with the nutrition, the way that he has systems and processes to then get to the offseason and really elevate his game.
“Because for me, I’m not the biggest, not the fastest, not the strongest. However, my key and my edge is preparation. That’s someone I’ve looked up to in the football space.”
Raiders Would Be Wise to Pick Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza had a passer rating of 182.9 with 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 16 games in 2025, per StatMuse. This production from Mendoza led to him winning the Heisman Trophy and the national title for Indiana.
If the Raiders do go with Mendoza, they could have their franchise quarterback for years to come. Moreover, former NFL QB Cam Newton believes that the right decision would be to take the signal-caller with the top pick.
“Fernando Mendoza is probably the obvious pick here,” Newton told the Raiders’ official YouTube channel on Feb. 4. “What should bring any Raiders fan to believe in him is that he possesses everything you want to see in a quarterback: calm, cool, collected, and with the leadership abilities the Raiders need.”
Las Vegas Have Building Blocks Amid Their Rebuild
Moreover, Newton believes that the Raiders would have foundational pieces for their rebuild in Mendoza, Ashton Jeanty, and Brock Bowers. Nonetheless, he does not that there should be other steps as well.
“As you get your quarterback, you have good pillars, things you can stand on. I think what the Raiders have to continue to do is, when you bring that quarterback into your facility, you need to back him with a great defense and a strong offensive line. And then the unsung hero is a great special teams unit.”
Fernando Mendoza Sends Big Message to Raiders’ Tom Brady