For Fernando Mendoza, NFL draft prep has NFC West film focus
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For Fernando Mendoza, NFL draft prep has NFC West film focus
Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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2 min read
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In the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza's film watching has understandably concentrated around the NFC West.
His soon-to-be head coach, Klint Kubiak of theLas Vegas Raiders– widely expected to select Mendoza first overall April 23 – was the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl championSeattle Seahawkslast season. But Mendoza has also studied a lot ofBrock Purdy, theSan Francisco 49ers' quarterback coached by Kyle Shanahan.
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The Shanahan-Kubiak coaching tree remains intertwined and in its second generation. Throw in someMatthew Stafford, theLos Angeles Rams' quarterback, and it's been a trifecta of West Coast – strategically and geographically – offense for the Mendoza.
"I just like how they are very efficient in their system," Mendoza told USA TODAY Sports.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
(Rich Janzaruk, Herald-Times)
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch)
3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
(Nathan Giese, Avalanche-Journal)
4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
(Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images)
5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
(Michael Caterina, Imagn Images)
6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
(Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch)
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
(Grace Smith, IndyStar)
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
Mendoza likened the signal-callers to point guards and referred to Stafford as a future Hall of Famer. He doesn't want to be a carbon copy, he added, and said that they were just three of the many quarterbacks he's studied.
Mendoza confessed at his pro day April 1 that he will have to be more comfortable playing under center in the NFL and that it will be an adjustment for him. On April 2, theRaiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins, ostensibly to enter the 2026 season asLas Vegas' starter and eliminate the pressure on Mendoza to learn an offense and play at a high level his rookie season.
In the offenses that he mentioned, however, Mendoza noticed some overlapping tendencies with the college concepts he learned at Cal and Indiana, where he won the 2025 national championship and Heisman Trophy.
"I think it's a great learning tool because you never know where you're gonna go in the NFL draft," Mendoza said. "However, learning an offense and prepping yourself for that and that process, I think, is very valuable."
