The Las Vegas Raiders have understandably high expectations for Fernando Mendoza. A stellar season at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led them to the national championship, catapulted him to become the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But the organization wanted to take a patient approach with him. As a result, they also brought in Kirk Cousins to be the immediate starter before slowly easing the rookie into a starting role. And, judging by his work in the preseason, it might have been the right choice.
Fernando Mendoza’s Performance Draws Mixed Reactions
In both preseason games, new head coach Klint Kubiak has given ample reps to Mendoza to begin proceedings. Against the Arizona Cardinals, he was firing on all cylinders, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
As a result, there were a ton of calls about changing their game plan for the season and giving him the starting role from the outset. However, the second preseason game has shown a different tune altogether.
Against a Houston Texans team that ranked second on PFN’s Defense Impact Metric last season, he was far less dominant. Completing just 8 of his 15 passing attempts, he added 86 yards through the air, but gave up a costly interception that was returned for a pick-six.
The conversation this time around is far more subdued about the youngster, with PFN analysts offering their two cents about what they saw from the first-year star against Houston.
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First, it was a draft expert, Ian Cummings, who pointed out his mistakes.
“Fernando Mendoza in Preseason Week 2: 8/15, 86 yards, INT. Some expected rookie lumps, working from under center, drifting back a bit too far & arming throws a lil too much under pressure,” Cummings wrote on X.
However, it wasn’t all negative from Mendoza, as far as Cummings was concerned. He added, “But also had a couple good anticipatory darts. Natural developmental checkpoint.”
Fernando Mendoza in Preseason Week 2: 8/15, 86 yards, INT
Some expected rookie lumps, working from under center, drifting back a bit too far & arming throws a lil too much under pressure.
But also had a couple good anticipatory darts. Natural developmental checkpoint.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) August 21, 2026
Even the PFN’s Director of Media Partnerships, Jacob Infante, saw some immediate upside with what Mendoza brings to the table.
“From an outsider’s perspective, I’m not too worried about how Fernando Mendoza performed tonight,” Infante wrote. “Timing and anticipation will improve the longer he’s in the system. Still enough flashes from him to be excited about him as a contributor in Year 1.”
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The official PFN account, though, highlighted just how bad a game it had been for Mendoza by his lofty collegiate standards. The account shared, “The last time Fernando Mendoza finished a game with more INTs than TDs was Nov. 2024 w/ Cal vs. Syracuse. He posted a 66.1 PFN College QB Impact score in that game.”
The last time Fernando Mendoza finished a game with more INTs than TDs was Nov. 2024 w/ Cal vs. Syracuse. 👀
He posted a 66.1 PFN College QB Impact score in that game. https://t.co/v9f14CAjEU
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 21, 2026
Brandon Austin saw some upside in the youngster’s effort and willingness to put his body on the line for the time, albeit with the reminder that it might not be the best practice in a preseason game. He wrote, “Respect the effort from Mendoza after the pick, but surely Kubiak would prefer he doesn’t throw his body at a LB in the preseason.”
C.J. Stroud to Fernando Mendoza after the game pic.twitter.com/mF1pRN0742
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 21, 2026
Throughout his career, Mendoza’s character and willingness to go the extra mile have always been defining traits of his playstyle.
PFN’s Fantasy and betting analyst Kyle Soppe acknowledged the mistakes, “Some processing speed issues are to be expected. And developed through. With reps.” But he also predicted, “Gotta think he’s seeing live bullets before Halloween, right?”
Some processing speed issues are to be expected.
And developed through.
With reps.
Gotta think he’s seeing live bullets before Halloween, right? https://t.co/mhLrpXt6ep
— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) August 21, 2026
PFN’s Fantasy Football analyst Jason Katz also predicted a similar outcome and wrote, “Pick six notwithstanding, I’d still be stunned if Kirk Cousins made it to November.”
It remains to be seen if Kubiak changes his mind about the QB1 role based on what he sees in the preseason. But Mendoza’s performances could ultimately impact the exact timeline for when the Raiders keep him.
So far, his play has been a mixed bag with some obvious mistakes and shortcomings. But judging by the curve of these being his first snaps of NFL action, the upside is hard to ignore and could slot him under center earlier than previously anticipated.
