As the NFL Draft rapidly approaches, there is more uncertainty than ever about how the board will shape up once teams go on the clock.
Fernando Mendoza will be a Las Vegas Raider, with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but beyond that it really is anyone’s guess, just as it is what kind of impact the former Indiana standout and national championship-winning quarterback will make at the next level.
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NFL Draft
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After passing for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns to six interceptions while guiding the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and national championship, Mendoza is widely considered the lone impending franchise quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft class.
So, what will the Raiders be getting when Roger Goodell announces Mendoza’s name as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft later this month?
“I worry about his lack of quick twitch,” an NFL Quarterbacks Coach told Between The Hashmarks. “But other than that, he’s a solid prospect and quarterback.”
While a lack of “quick twitch” may give some scouts pause, Mendoza’s championship pedigree and surgical efficiency suggest he possesses the poise to overcome any physical limitations at the next level.
If his elite decision-making translates to the pro game, the Raiders won’t just be drafting a prospect, but the cornerstone of a new era in Las Vegas.
NFL Draft
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) gets loose before the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.