‘[Fernando] Mendoza Is a Better Throwing Version of Dak [Prescott]’ — Colin Cowherd Outlines SWOT Analysis For Raiders Rookie

The Las Vegas Raiders believe Fernando Mendoza is their quarterback of the future after selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

FS1 analyst Colin Cowherd sees plenty of potential in the rookie, and he shared his analysis of the quarterback’s game after the Raiders’ preseason opener.

Colin Cowherd Sees Dak Prescott Traits in Fernando Mendoza

There were several flashes during Thursday’s preseason game that highlighted why Mendoza was selected with the No. 1 overall pick.

He delivered accurate passes, executed play-action fakes effectively, and remained patient in the pocket despite making his NFL debut. The PFN CFB QB Impact’s No. 2 signal-caller in the 2025 season finished the outing by completing 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown, raising expectations.

On the “The Colin Cowherd Podcast” on Monday, Cowherd and former NFL scout John Middlekauff broke down Mendoza’s potential through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. The two broke down the rookie’s traits while discussing whether the Raiders should eventually hand him the starting job over Kirk Cousins.

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“That’s the one thing about Mendoza, like after the game, he’s like, ‘I got nothing to do. I’m going home and watching every snap,’” Cowherd said about Mendoza’s strength. “The kid is completely obsessed, and he is more mature than the average 23-year-old kid. My take was he made one or two throws, one really good throw over the linebackers in front of the deep coverage. I don’t know… I think he’s got a really nice downfield arm.”

Cowherd later compared Mendoza and Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, focusing on how a player’s intangibles elevate their actual grade as an NFL prospect.

Cowherd noted that Prescott entered the NFL as a solid but not spectacular physical prospect, with elite leadership, maturity, and football intelligence, which ultimately helped the Cowboys QB outperform expectations.

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Cowherd thinks Mendoza possesses many of those same qualities but may offer even more as a passer.

“I look at Mendoza, and I just think about all the intangible stuff,” Cowherd added. “I mean, Dak [Prescott] was never a beautiful thrower of the football, but Dak [Prescott] was so good at the intangibles. His tangibles were okay. So to me, I think [Fernando] Mendoza is a better throwing version of Dak [Prescott].”

Besides praising Mendoza’s mentality and ability to push the ball downfield, Cowherd also said that while the rookie has solid size, he lacks high-end, elite athleticism compared to someone like Andrew Luck, which is Mendoza’s weakness.

Middlekauff pointed to the opportunities available for Mendoza, explaining that the Raiders’ decision to sign Cousins allows the veteran to handle the early portion of the season before the rookie potentially takes over.

As for the threats, challenges will come from Las Vegas’ shaky offensive line and a receiving corps lacking proven depth.