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Nick Saban's high praise for Raiders' new quarterback Fernando Mendoza proves Las Vegas made the right decision
TL;DR
The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, receiving high praise from coach Nick Saban for his intelligence and work ethic.
Key points
- Fernando Mendoza was drafted No. 1 overall by the Raiders.
- Nick Saban praised Mendoza's intelligence and work ethic.
- Mendoza is expected to be the franchise quarterback for the Raiders.
Mentioned in this story
Nick Saban
Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza, and he’s one of the smartest players in the entire NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted their 2026 rookie class, and every pick they made was pretty good. However, none of them is as polarizing as the No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. The rookie quarterback is set to be the franchise guy for the Raiders.
They finally got their guy, and even if he doesn't start right away, Mendoza will be a star in this league. Many may argue that he is not a player deserving of the No. 1 overall pick, but that this class is just weak. The best coaches of all time would disagree. Sure, he may not have many elite physical traits, but the mental side is just as important.
Nick Saban talks highly of Fernando Mendoza
“The guy is a football junkie… He grinds ball," all-time great College Football coach Nick Saban said during the 2026 NFL Draft. "If I had gotten the opportunity when we interviewed him, I’d offer him the damn QB job if I were a coach. That guy is as smart as anybody I’ve ever been around.”
Nick Saban on Fernando Mendoza: "The guy is a football junkie… He grinds ball. If I had gotten the opportunity when we interviewed him, I'd offer him the damn QB job if I was a coach. That guy is as smart as anybody I've ever been around."
📸 @TheNAT1ON_#Raiderspic.twitter.com/5bzYPCy2ya
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) April 23, 2026
Cousins is still good enough to start Week 1. Cousins, even after starting as a backup in Atlanta in 2025 and playing 10 games, performed well in advanced metrics. For instance, he posted an 89.5% Catchable Ball Percentage (seventh-best among players with 100+ attempts) and a 78.1% On Target Percentage (sixth-best), demonstrating strong accuracy. But, at some point, Mendoza will take over.
Because of how smart he is and how accurate he is with his ability to layer throws, they simply won't be able to keep him on the bench for long. It only helps in Mendoza's favor, too, that he has essentially already begun an installation of the offense, or scheme, or something similar-whatever you want to call it, so it's legal.
Q&A
Why did the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick?
The Raiders believe Mendoza is a franchise quarterback with exceptional intelligence and work ethic, despite some debate about the strength of the draft class.
What did Nick Saban say about Fernando Mendoza during the NFL Draft?
Nick Saban praised Mendoza as a 'football junkie' and expressed that he would have offered him the starting quarterback job if given the chance.
What are the expectations for Fernando Mendoza in the NFL?
Expectations are high for Mendoza to become a star in the league, even if he doesn't start immediately for the Raiders.
