Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Las Vegas Raiders QB

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Fernando Mendoza emerged as the top quarterback in the nation and the NFL Draft class. He finished the season undefeated, as the Big Ten Champions, the Heisman winner, and a National Champion!

Mendoza has the build of a traditional pocket passer and a polished passing skill set that translates well to the NFL. He excels as a quick post-snap processor and quick decision-maker with the football. He is an intelligent player with an excellent mind for the game of football.

Mendoza began his career at Cal as a 3-star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports. This season, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions during his stellar lone season with the Hoosiers.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Highlights

Fernando Mendoza highlights

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Scroll down for the complete scouting report.

Where He Wins

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- High football IQ and quick post-snap processing.

- Possesses good arm talent/strength to drive the ball past linebackers with good velocity against both zone and man coverages.

- Dissects defenses quickly and efficiently from the pocket with his decision-making.

- He excels at layering the football over the defense and dropping it into the bucket at all three levels.

- Accurate passer at all three-levels, layers the football into tight windows.

- He is a functional, above-average straight-line athlete who will take free yards with his legs.

- Overall toughness, he has taken big hits and punishment, but never stayed down.

Areas of Improvement

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- Pocket mobility is average, does not climb or slide to reset and throw.

- Rushing his process when pressured, leading to inaccurate and off-target throws

- Inconsistent with decision-making under pressure; needs to learn to take the check/hot routes and take the profit.

- Developing answers at the line of scrimmage against simulated pressure looks.

- Functional athlete who is unable to consistently escape pressure in the pocket.

- Played in an RPO-heavy offense at Indiana, limited the amount of NFL throws on tape in 2025.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 8.6 (Impact Player — 1st Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Cam Ward (8.3 in 2025), Bryce Young (8.2 in 2023), Desmond Ridder (8.4 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 3rd

POSITION RANK: QB1

PRO COMPARISON: Matt Ryan with mobility

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'4¾"

Weight: 236

Hand: 9½"

Arm: 31⅞"

Wingspan: 76¾"

40-YARD DASH: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad Jump: N/A

3-Cone Drill: N/A

20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

Bench Press: N/A

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