Overview
- The Raiders made Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick and have moved him into under‑center work at rookie minicamp and OTAs to teach Klint Kubiak’s play‑action system.
- Coaches, including offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, have publicly praised Mendoza’s work ethic and classroom approach, saying he’s a quick study who asks about the ‘whys’ behind plays.
- Kirk Cousins is functioning as the likely early starter while Mendoza takes rookie reps, a posture the team describes as deliberate and merit‑based rather than a firm timeline for a rookie debut.
- Media and local commentators offer varied predictions for Mendoza’s first game—some suggesting a midseason window or a November insertion—but those timetables remain speculative and hinge on training camp reps.
- Beyond the QB debate, early OTAs showed Mendoza building chemistry with former Indiana teammate EJ Williams and left the Raiders with a young offensive core that analysts say could push the team toward contention in 2027, while backup Aidan O’Connell’s strong practice work raises trade‑value questions for the roster