Fernando Mendoza’s ‘biggest flaw’ identified before draft as NFL coach names ‘better’ option for Raiders

Fernando Mendoza is the consensus first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback is coming off the perfect college season, with a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship win.

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With less than two months to go before the draft, it’s all but assured that Mendoza will be playing under center for the Las Vegas Raiders come Week 1 of the 2026 season.

Most of the analysis on Mendoza has been overwhelmingly positive, but there will always be analysts who come out with negatives.

The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen recently expressed his biggest concern with the talented youngster.

“The biggest flaw in his game is a tendency to hold the ball, while not sensing backside pressure,” Nguyen wrote.

“There were times he had open receivers downfield or his check-down open, and he would hesitate and take a sack.

“His negative play rate – something that tends to be difficult to improve on in the pros is a red flag.

“He has to realize that he won’t be able to use his legs as much in the NFL. He will have to get rid of the ball quickly and more consistently.”

It’s not the first time that Mendoza’s play has been called into question.

The 22-year-old was called out by former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly for not participating in drills at the NFL Combine.

Kelly would go on to describe the hurler as a “stiff, rigid, awkward, systematic quarterback,” in an appearance on the Fearless Podcast with Jason Whitlock.

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There have also been concerns about the environment that awaits Mendoza if he is selected by the Raiders while his NFL comparison has drawn lukewarm reactions.

NFL coach names better option for first-overall pick

Raiders’ minority owner Tom Brady is expected to have a say in Las Vegas’ selection, and has spoken publicly about the skills he looks for in a potential franchise QB.

Mendoza fits the bill in that respect, and the pair briefly spoke after crossing paths at the recent NFL Combine.

But not everyone believes Mendoza is locked-in as the first overall pick.

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“It’s amazing he’s the first pick in the draft,” one team executive told The Athletic.

“I don’t think he is surefire at all,” added an offensive coach who has studied all the quarterbacks in the class.

“I like the Alabama guy [Ty Simpson] better.”

Simpson was the quarterback for the Crimson Tide and led the team to the playoffs where they were routed 38-3 by the Hoosiers.

In his junior year, the 23-year-old threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns, while firing just five interceptions in 15 games.

Simpson has been likened to Jaxson Dart and touted as a replacement for Kyler Murray for the Arizona Cardinals, but it is unlikely he will fall to the Cards unless they make a trade back up in the first round of the draft.

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But nothing is ever certain; the Raiders could surprise everyone and select Simpson – nothing will be decided until Draft day, which is swiftly approaching.

Ultimately, any quarterback making the jump to the NFL will need time to improve and adjust. 

But there are few prospects in recent history who have looked more like a potential franchise quarterback than Mendoza.

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