NFL analyst quashes ‘rigid’ Fernando Mendoza hype after comparing Carson Beck minicamp footage

Was Fernando Mendoza really the best quarterback in the class after all?

The Las Vegas Raiders made an emotional Mendoza the No.1 pick during the 2026 NFL draft at the end of April.

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The 22-year-old arrives to NFL as the most hyped quarterback prospect in years, consistently touted by scouts and analysts as a ‘guaranteed star’.

This was for good reason. Mendoza threw for 3,585 yards with 41 touchdowns, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their first undefeated season in program history and a national championship.

Nevertheless, one former NFL scout is comparing Mendoza to new Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck.

Daniel Kelly, a former New York Jets scout, posted side-by-side minicamp videos of Mendoza and Beck and highlighted one glaring observation.

“Look at how Carson Beck is moving compared to Fernando Mendoza,” Kelly posted on X while noting that both players measured an identical 6”4’ at the NFL scouting combine.

It’s not the first time that Kelly has been critical of Mendoza.

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

On the other hand, Beck, a third-round pick from the University of Miami, has been praised for his level of physicality that many Mendoza critics think he lacks.

This is largely due to the fact that Beck had a six-year college career, rather than the standard four-season stint.

Five of those seasons came at the University of Georgia, where Beck totaled 7,912 yards and 58 touchdowns before moving to Miami.

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The 24-year-old Beck was ultimately selected by the Cardinals in the third round (No. 65) of the 2026 NFL draft.

Jacoby Brissett is still expected to be the starting quarterback for Arizona, but Beck is turning heads at the team’s rookie minicamp.

Mendoza’s Raiders adjustment adds fuel to critics’ fire

Mendoza was honest about the adjustments he needs to make to work in new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak’s system.

Mendoza operated mostly in shotgun formation during his impressive college career, but that won’t be the case in the NFL.

In Kubiak’s offensive scheme, Mendoza is expected to take snaps under center, signaling a big change.

“It’s the added footwork,” Mendoza said

“You really have to get back, make sure you get depth, still be on time, still decipher the defense. It’s really having an emphasis on those first two steps, securing the snap and getting out of there.”

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Nevertheless, Mendoza has the backing of his general manager, as well as veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins who will support in a mentorship role.

The rookie QB will look to silence his critics when the 2026 season rolls around in September and pay back the Raiders’ faith that they placed in him with this year’s No. 1 pick.

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