Fernando Mendoza's Pro Day Showed Raiders Everything They Needed and More

It was another important step for the Las Vegas Raiders in their offseason process on Thursday. The Raiders got to see their potential future quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, take the field once again. This time, it was at his pro day. All eyes were on Mendoza as he continued to prove and show why he is the top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders are expected to pick Mendoza to kick off the draft next month, and Mendoza proved once again that he is the best quarterback in the draft.

Mendoza has been the No. 1 overall pick all offseason long. There was noise over the last few weeks about whether there was another quarterback better than him, and there were some saying that Mendoza was not the best.

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Fernando Mendoza learning NFL offenses

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

That gives Mendoza some motivation going into this pro day. Mendoza put on a show in front of many scouts and front office members who were in attendance. The National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner put on a show, and everyone took notice of his improvements.

"Was standing with/talking to Raiders GM John Spytek when he launched this throw…safe to say we were impressed," said NFL expert Louis Riddick on X/Twitter.

Was standing with/talking to #Raiders GM John Spytek when he launched this throw…safe to say we were impressed. https://t.co/nivEDwXt9g
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 1, 2026

It was not all about the throws for Mendoza in his pro day. Mendoza showed that he has been working on his game under center. Mendoza took most of his snaps in shotgun and away from under center. Mendoza wanted to show that he can learn and put that in his game even before he is picked. That is what the Raiders love about Mendoza. They like to see that he is willing to develop his game and show that he is a player who could make the proper adjustments.

The Raiders left impressed from seeing Mendoza on his pro day. The Raiders are still the heavy favorites to take him at the top of the draft, and Mendoza made it clear that he is worthy of being selected there. There is no doubt that the Silver and Black are getting a special player at the quarterback position. They are ready for Mendoza, and he is ready to be a Raider.

"My goal is to be the best quarterback in September. At the start of the season, rather than being the best quarterback for the pro day," said Fernando Mendoza. All my focus is on September. Working a lot under center. Learning general West Coast concepts."