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MENTAL GAME
Mendoza is one of the better processors scouted in recent years. He works sideline to sideline very quickly through his progressions and consistently gets the ball out on time in the quick game. There are moments when he could select a better option instead of settling for a checkdown, but he generally makes the plays he’s supposed to. He is clearly very intelligent and should be able to learn and execute whatever scheme he is placed in.
ARM TALENT
This trait leans more toward concern than encouragement. His arm leaves something to be desired when pushing the ball downfield or throwing without a clean pocket. He has good zip on short and intermediate throws but is prone to leaving the ball short on deeper attempts. That’s not to say he can’t push the ball downfield—it just isn’t consistent. That said, there are some impressive deep and sideline throws on his tape that help his case.
RUSHING/MOBILITY
He can generate yards on the ground when necessary, whether via scrambling or designed runs. He has adequate size, which allows him to hold up when taking hits in and out of the pocket. His rushing ability isn’t elite, but he can take easy yards when coverage holds up and buy additional time in the pocket when needed.
MANAGEMENT
This is his strongest attribute. He generally knows what to do with the ball on most plays and is always willing to take checkdowns or scramble for easy yards when necessary. He rarely puts the ball in harm’s way, though pressure can get to him at times, leading to the occasional ill-advised throw or fumble. Fortunately, this is not a frequent issue and is something he should be able to clean up.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Limited rushing and arm strength temper his fantasy outlook, raising short-term concern with a poor supporting cast. However, elite processing, anticipation, and short-to-intermediate accuracy project him as a good long-term NFL QB. He's a top-five rookie pick in Superflex leagues, ideal for QB-needy teams, projecting as a solid QB2/Superflex starter. In an excellent situation (e.g., Cousins in MIN/Goff in DET), he could reach QB1 status.
SUBTLE ARTS
His mechanics are strong when operating from a clean pocket. However, once pressure arrives, his limbs can go in several different directions as he tries to get the ball out. While this can look creative at times, it often results in a significant loss of velocity. His ball placement could be more consistent, and he is occasionally bailed out by Sarratt on contested catches. He does throw well on timing routes to the sideline (outs and comebacks), which NFL teams will value highly.
LANDING SPOT REACTION
Pairing Mendoza with Kubiak is an ideal scheme fit. He already has the foundation of a strong supporting cast with Bowers and Jeanty. The biggest question is whether Las Vegas can sufficiently upgrade the offensive line and add talent at wide receiver to unlock his full potential. We would not be surprised to see Kirk Cousins start a significant portion of the season while the Raiders sort out their offensive line issues.
ROUND 1
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