Fernando Mendoza could sink Tom Brady’s Raiders as ex-NFL scout warns of Shedeur Sanders-esque slide

Fernando Mendoza looks destined to be the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

And if the latest scout report is to be believed, the Indiana quarterback could soon become the latest man to struggle with the burden of saving a franchise.

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After leading the Hoosiers to a comprehensive 38-3 rout of Alabama with passing 192 yards and three scores, Mendoza is well positioned to add a national championship to his resume before turning pro.

The Heisman winner has enjoyed an incredible season and in a weak class, is set to hear his name called early barring a Shedeur Sanders-esque setback.

Who will own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are in a two-horse race for the No. 1 pick.

A Raiders defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs or Giants victory over the Dallas Cowboys would hand the honor to Las Vegas.

With Geno Smith toiling in what was supposed to be a bright new era under Tom Brady, the Silver and Black are almost certain to draft a signal caller and Mendoza is the name on everybody’s lips.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady is certainly a fan.

“I love everything about his game,” Brady said earlier in December.

“His leadership is what stands out to me, his relatability to his teammates. He’s overcome a lot in his career.

“He’s a Miami kid, went to Cal, to Indiana. You go to a program that hasn’t won anything, in forever, and what he’s done this season is so impressive.”

If the Raiders beat the Chiefs to hand the Giants the first selection things get a little more complicated.

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With Jaxson Dart under center, the G-Men can look elsewhere with the premium selection or, more likely, trade it away.

The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and others could all be willing buyers alongside the Raiders, especially if they have a high grade on Mendoza.

Daniel Kelly — a scout for the Jets organization that included featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley — has sent out a warning to anybody that does.

He put a fourth-round grade on Mendoza, who he claims lacks mobility, uses limited reads and runs an offence with a basic route tree.

A tendency to take extra steps, stare down receivers and tap the ball before passing is also cited as a recipe for disaster in the NFL.

“Mendoza is an elementary passer who has relied on a rigid and systematic process for success,” wrote Kelly in a First Round Mock column titled ‘Fernando Mendoza Will Fail With the Team That Selects him if he goes in the First Round’

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“The NFL is faster and much more complex, demanding split-second situational recognition, flexibility, and adaptability.

“The NFL is going to be a big jump for Mendoza. Too big if he goes too early.”

How can reports vary so wildly?

Despite the countless hours that go into scouting prospects, nobody is a sure thing.

QB’s selected first overall have a surprisingly bad record and for every Joe Burrow there is a Sam Bradford.

Kyler Murray’s failings are the reason Arizona are in the shop window, while Tim Couch went No. 1 to the Browns in 1999 and the franchise is still looking for a franchise passer over two decades later.

The Raiders have their own warning in Jamarcus Russell — a 2007 selection regarded as one of the biggest draft busts of all time.

The added pressure of going so high in the draft often turns good players into bad ones — at least in perception.

Baker Mayfield only found success on his third team, the jury is still out on Caleb Williams and Cam Ward, and even ‘generational prospect’ Trevor Lawrence is only really clicking in his fifth season.

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Kelly could well be wrong, but if he isn’t and Las Vegas bosses find themselves on the clock first in April, the decision could be a spectacular failure.

As always in Sin City, the stakes are high.

Brady’s involvement is no secret and teaming up Smith with his former coach at the Seattle Seahawks in Pete Carroll has been a disaster.

Another high-profile failure could put the Raiders on course for years in the wilderness, but if Mendoza can soak up the GOAT’s advice and hit the ground running, Brady will be hailed as a genius on and off the field.

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