Jason Burgos
Some new pre-NFL Draft buzz on Fernando Mendoza should excite Las Vegas Raiders fans, even if some talent evaluators admit he is kind of “goofy.”
With the NFL Combine going down this week, scouts around the league will be taking a deep dive into the top prospects available in April’s draft. The news from the combines is sure to create rumors and speculation on how the first round will play out. However, there is one sure thing: The Raiders are selecting Mendoza first overall.
New Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiack badly needs a QB, and fortunately for the franchise, they have the No. 1 pick in April’s draft. That means they can take the best signal caller in this year’s class. That is the Indiana star, and it’s not even close.
However, after leading the Hoosiers to their first college football championship last month, there has been a lot of discourse suggesting Mendoza is the best QB in a weak class. The fact that it isn’t a lock another QB will be taken in Round 1 seems to confirm that narrative. So it’s understandable if Raiders fans are a little worried their team may be reaching by taking Mendoza first overall.
Buzz growing that Raiders will get future franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza
Well, on Tuesday, Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline looked to quell those fears. According to the NFL insider, many inside the NFL have told him that Mendoza is a special talent that they would love to have. “There’s nothing he can’t do,” a source said when it comes to the Indiana alum’s combination of size, arm talent, and football IQ.
Others suggested that the QB did what was asked of him at Indiana, but he excelled in pressurized moments. Furthermore, he added that “Almost all believe he has the physical skills and football ability to be a franchise quarterback.”
Yet, talent evaluators realize Mendoza is a bit different than most QBs. “While some have claimed Mendoza is ‘goofy,'” sources told Pauline that they are high on how Mendoza handled the national spotlight during the season as he made his march to winning the Heisman Trophy. As well as his leadership skills on and off the field.
