The Las Vegas Raiders made official Thursday what was long expected by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the NFL draft.
It was just the second time the Raiders have selected No. 1 overall.
Mendoza is coming off an undefeated season with the Hoosiers in which he was awarded the Heisman Trophy.
Here is a grade for the pick: A
Once the Raiders decided to hang on to the pick, there really wasn’t much to think about.
The franchise needs a quarterback of the future and Mendoza was really the only option in this draft.
A bold choice would have been to try and make a big splash to use the pick to acquire capital next year and take a swing at what figures to be a tremendous class, but absent a “Godfather” deal, the Raiders took a prudent approach in taking their quarterback while they had the chance with no need to make a deal.
Mendoza has a high floor even if the ceiling isn’t astronomical. This was a good pick by an organization that is starting to look competent.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
