The Las Vegas Raiders made it official Thursday night, selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. General manager John Spytek said the decision came after an exhaustive evaluation that left no doubt Mendoza was the right choice.
Spytek fielded calls about potential trade offers but never seriously considered moving the pick. “It started to feel better and better when we met him in person,” Spytek said. “I’m a big believer in the interactions. You only get so many opportunities in front of him, and they’re not as long as you want, but I think you can tell a lot about a person in those interactions and he was always authentically himself. He was endearing. You could see the maniacally-driven part of him that makes him a great QB.”
Mendoza, who led Indiana to a historic season, said he didn’t know for sure he’d be the top pick until his phone rang when the Raiders were on the clock. But he felt a strong connection with the organization through the draft process. “Whatever team was going to select me would be a good fit, but deep down in my heart, I knew the Raiders are most likely going to be the best fit because of the coaching staff,” he said. “I think it really fits my play-style well. With all the great teammates on offense and defense, they’re stacked. And then the great ownership, whether it’s Mr. (Mark) Davis, Mr. (Tom) Brady, what better situation to walk into?”
Brady, a minority owner, posted on social media after the pick: “Hard work, resilience, discipline, accountability, leadership, teamwork. That’s what this game is all about. Raider Nation, we will make you proud.”
Mendoza impressed the Raiders with his ability to recall plays from his college career during film sessions. Spytek believes the quarterback’s personality will keep him grounded despite the hype. “He’s a great person,” Spytek said. “Raised the right way. Great family. He’s about the right things. He’s about his team. He’s about winning. He’s about doing the right things and being accountable to the whole organization.”
Coach Klint Kubiak told Mendoza to celebrate Thursday night but be ready to work immediately upon arriving in Las Vegas. “Be humble and be ready to work,” Kubiak said. “You have to go earn your job like everyone else.”
Mendoza, who was lightly recruited out of high school and entered the transfer portal a year ago, said he still considers himself an underdog. “I believe I’m still the underdog,” he said. “Although I was picked today (No. 1), I am not (No. 1 of 32 quarterbacks in the league). I need to work every single day possible because whatever everyone is ranking me, I don’t know those specifics, but I’m at the bottom of the totem pole right now. I’ve got to first earn the respect to my teammates and earn that equity.”
The Raiders hope Mendoza can turn around a franchise that has struggled for years. “I think that fortune favors the bold, and that sometimes when you’re bold and you bet on yourself, it’ll work out most of the time,” Mendoza said. “And if it doesn’t work out, at least you’ll be able to sleep easy at night 20 years down the road, knowing you did everything possible to accomplish your goals.”
