The 2026 NFL Draft is about two weeks away, and that is the most highly anticipated event of the offseason. Unlike some years, the No. 1 overall pick is a lock as the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
He was arguably the best player in college football this past season, winning the Heisman Trophy and national championship. His skills should translate well to the NFL, and former quarterback Chris Simms is comparing him to Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
Chris Simms Makes a Strong Comparison for Fernando Mendoza
Simms has scouted many quarterbacks over the years, and when he says he sees a little Burrow in Mendoza, it should make people’s ears perk up.
“He’s one of the cleanest quarterback prospects to come out in a long time, I mean he’s slam dunk…” Simms said on “Go Long.” “He can make big-time throws with great ease… Mendoza to me, it’s almost like Joe Burrow, where you’re like, whoa, the reads, the knowledge, and how he sees defenses, it’s very next level for a college guy.”
Burrow and Mendoza had similar final college seasons; both entered the season as players without much hype and turned in fantastic seasons, winning the Heisman Trophy and national title for their respective schools. Last season, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while rushing for 276 yards and 7 TDs.
If Mendoza can become a Burrow-esque player, the Raiders will be thrilled. Burrow has taken the Bengals to the Super Bowl and is one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in football after inking a five-year, $275 million contract in 2023.
The only knock against Burrow is that he has been injury-prone throughout his career. He has missed at least seven games in two of his last three seasons, and that has derailed the Bengals’ season each of those years.
The Raiders must improve their offensive line around Mendoza so he can stay upright. Last season, Las Vegas’ offensive line ranked 31st in the NFL in PFSN’s OLi Impact Score (behind only the Cleveland Browns). The Bengals failed to do that, and Burrow paid the price. The Raiders must invest in Mendoza in every way possible, including building a strong line and supporting cast around him.
It will be interesting to see what the Raiders’ roster looks like at the start of 2026 and whether Mendoza can realize his full potential. But all sign Mendoza being the Raiders’ pick and potential face of the franchise going forward.
