Fernando Mendoza is tackling what he didn’t do in college as rookie minicamp begins.

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing Fernando Mendoza, their first-round quarterback prospect, for the NFL by prioritizing under-center mechanics and learning Klint Kubiak’s offensive scheme. Although Mendoza showed strong play-action potential from Indiana, he needs extensive work on dropping back and footwork to thrive in the Raiders’ system, which emphasizes under-center plays and a solid run game.

Key points:
– Mendoza’s development focuses on center snaps, play-action proficiency, and adapting to a pro-style offense, with coaching emphasizing under-center reps.
– Indiana’s tape highlights his play-action effectiveness, including eight TDs and one interception on play-action, and strong overall passing numbers (2,758 yards, 32 TDs in 2025) within a run-heavy, RPO-based scheme.
– The Raiders possess a strong backfield and a need for Mendoza to demonstrate the ability to run a competent offense from under center, similar to successful quarterbacks who use play-action effectively.
– Media clips from rookie minicamp show Mendoza actively working on center snaps, underscoring the coaching staff’s focus on this transition.

Key takeaways:
– Mendoza was drafted with the expectation of developing into the franchise quarterback, but immediate impact depends on mastering under-center execution and play-action concepts.
– The Raiders’ long-term plan relies on Mendoza developing the necessary footwork and drop-back mechanics to operate the offense efficiently.
– Early practice footage suggests visible progress in center-quarterback reps, reinforcing confidence in Mendoza’s trajectory within Klint Kubiak’s system.