Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is more than likely going to become the next franchise quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders. That much is for certain.
What is up for debate, though, is just what kind of player he’ll be at the NFL level. On the heels of leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a National Championship and a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign, Mendoza has the makings of the league’s next great signal-caller. Former All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara believes Mendoza could become a better version of Daniel Jones, who was selected No. 6 overall by the New York Giants in 2019.
Alvin Kamara Compares Fernando Mendoza to Daniel Jones
Whether or not Mendoza would like to take it as a slight or as a compliment is purely in the eye of the beholder, but Kamara, who has played the entirety of his nine-year career with the New Orleans Saints, believes Mendoza can become a superior version of what Jones has been in the league.
“What I think makes him so special is that he loves the game, but he loves football. He’s watching film constantly, because he’s getting treatment done constantly,” Kamara said in an interview with Ratings. “He’s getting in extra work with his brother, like he is just an absolute football junkie. But then outside of that, personality-wise, he really is the way that he seems on the internet.”
After transferring from California to Indiana for his junior campaign, Mendoza completed 72% of his pass attempts for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. He added another 276 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground en route to a championship.
Kamara called Mendoza the most “genuine guy” he’s ever met. Above all else, the comparisons to Jones draw from Mendoza’s ability to effortlessly sling the ball downfield, and he’s a confident, decisive runner as well. Jones has rushed for more than 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career.
“I love Mendoza,” Kamara said. “As far as playing style, I would probably say a better version of Daniel Jones, because I think they both could tuck it and run when they need to, but they can also deliver it down the field. They’re both tall and lanky, so I think that’s a good player comparison.”
After six seasons and a disastrous 24-44-1 record with the Giants, Jones flamed out of New York, as they quickly replaced him with Jaxson Dart. He signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency and, just as Dart had done to him, replaced former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson as the starting quarterback. Such is the circle of life in the NFL.
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Jones’ career caught a second wind. The Colts won seven of their first eight games to begin the season, and Jones threw 13 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions in that span. He stabilized the quarterback position in Indianapolis while Jonathan Taylor finished the year leading the league in rushing touchdowns and No. 3 in yards, earning his third Pro Bowl selection.
Jones started 13 games for the Colts before sustaining a torn Achilles in a Dec. 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That didn’t keep the Colts from affirming their commitment to Jones; he signed a two-year, $88 million extension last week.
For a testament to just how well Jones played in his first season in Indianapolis, look no further than his 86.7 PFSN QB Impact score. That ranked No. 5 in the league, trailing only Brock Purdy, Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love.
