QB 1
Fernando Mendoza
Indiana
Height: 6'4 3/4"
Weight: 236 lbs
Class: Junior
Report by:
Connor Rogers
Measurables
Physical
Height
6'4 3/4"
Weight
236 lbs
Arm Length
31 7/8 in
Hand Size
9 1/2 in
Traits
multi
Football IQ
Trait Prototype: Peyton Manning
offense
Rocket Arm
Trait Prototype: Patrick Mahomes
offense
Precision Passer
Trait Prototype: Peyton Manning
Summary
Strengths
Snappy release that can tighten and speed up under pressure
Shows adequate velocity on throws driven outside the numbers
Deep ball from a clean pocket is strong and accurate...completed 29 of 55 (20+ yard throws) in 2025 for 11 TDs and 1 INT, a 52.1 completion percentage
He will tear you up from the pocket when given plenty of time to throw
Near surgical in the intermediate (10-19 yds) pass game outside the numbers in 2025, where his timing and velocity stood out: 13 for 20 throwing right (65%) and 19 for 33 (57.6%) throwing left
Yards per attempt when pressured went from just 5.8 in 2024 to 7.6 in 2025
Receivers only dropped 6 of his passes in 2025...speaks to the talent around him AND his ball placement
Weaknesses
Not overly twitchy or fast, more of a high IQ runner than a dangerous scrambler or play creator
Took 40 sacks in 2024
Off platform throws don't look natural and lose life down the field
Final Report
Mendoza will be the number one pick in the draft after making tremendous strides from his 2024 season at Cal to his 2025 national title season at Indiana. He cut down the sacks he took from 40 to 25, decreased his turnover worthy play rate from 3.5% to 2.6% and increased his yards per attempt when pressured from just 5.8 to 7.6 (per PFF). Mendoza is accurate to all three levels of the field and has developed a great understanding of when and where to attack down the field. When he’s at his best, there are clear shades of Matt Ryan and Jared Goff in his game. If the Raiders can keep him upright, he’ll be able to stabilize their passing attack in a heavy play action system under new head coach Klint Kubiak.