Fernando Mendoza in NFL draft: Should QB be Raiders' starter on Day 1?

What’s the argument for Mendoza starting immediately?

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

It's not every year that there's an undisputed No. 1 pick before the draft begins, but that's what we have this April. Mendoza is the clear choice for a quarterback-needy Raiders squad. His body of work in 2025 was so impressive. He has a strong enough arm to make all the throws, his accuracy is outstanding — he completed 72 percent of his passes and threw just six interceptions in 2025 — and his is mature beyond his years. Mendoza has the required toughness to take hits early on and keep getting up and performing. Mendoza's mental makeup will allow him to make the necessary adjustments both on and off the field that will allow him to have early success.

What’s the argument against Mendoza starting immediately?

No matter how good Mendoza was in 2025, it's still a big jump from college football to the NFL. Everything will be faster and there will be growing pains, just like there was for Cam Ward as the top pick in the 2025 draft. Signing Kirk Cousins as a free agent means the Raiders can bring Mendoza along slowly, possibly working him into the game plan in certain spots without putting too much on him all at once. Considering the Raiders have also have a rookie head coach in Klint Kubiak, maybe it will be best for Las Vegas to have a veteran under center — at least to start the season.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fernando Mendoza starting for Raiders after 2026 NFL Draft?