Raiders No. 1 Pick Mendoza at Rookie Minicamp

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, participated in the team's rookie minicamp this weekend, focusing on adapting his college game to the professional level after leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and its first national championship.

Mendoza, 22, began his college career at California in 2022, earning his first start in 2023 and playing in 20 games over two seasons there before transferring to Indiana. In 2025, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, earning the Heisman Trophy and MVP honors in the College Football Playoff title game. The Raiders selected him on April 23, passing on trade offers, according to general manager John Spytek. "I think any coach is excited to work with a big, athletic, talented thrower that is extremely smart and a very driven worker," Spytek said.

The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to start this season under new head coach Klint Kubiak, giving Mendoza time to learn Kubiak's scheme, which emphasizes snaps under center. Mendoza operated mostly from shotgun formation in college, a shift he addressed during minicamp. "Instead...