INDIANAPOLIS — Fernando Mendoza, winner of the Heisman Trophy and national champion, stands out as the NFL’s prime quarterback prospect entering the 2024 draft. Praised for his intelligence, mobility, quick decision-making, and strong arm, Mendoza embodies the qualities that teams, especially the quarterback-starved Las Vegas Raiders, highly desire. Born in Boston and with three years of starting experience, Mendoza is expected to be a top pick as he prepares for a critical evaluation at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Mendoza’s Approach to the Draft and Draft Day Realities
Despite his favored status to be selected first overall, Mendoza remains grounded, understanding the unpredictable nature of the draft process. Should he be passed over by the Raiders or any other team, he plans to maintain a positive outlook inspired by his admiration for Tom Brady, who was famously chosen 199th in the 2000 draft.
“Whatever team drafts me, I’m grateful — whether it’s the No. 1 pick or whether it’s the 199th pick,”
Mendoza said, referencing Tom Brady’s draft position. ?Fernando Mendoza, NFL Quarterback Prospect
Though Mendoza is not expected to fall far, the history of the 2024 quarterback class shows how unpredictable the draft order can be. Injuries and performance swings have reshaped the prospects’ chances, as seen with Carson Beck’s late-season injury and transfer, and Shedeur Sanders’ drop to 144th overall in last year’s draft.
Current Quarterback Landscape Leading into the Draft
Unlike past drafts with a muddled quarterback race, Mendoza clearly leads this year’s class. His preparation included sessions with elite NFL passers such as Peyton and Eli Manning and Colts starter Daniel Jones, while also sharing a phone conversation with Raiders part owner and legend Tom Brady. Despite extensive media attention surrounding Mendoza during the Combine, he has delayed throwing until his Pro Day on April 1, citing a condensed preparation period after Indiana’s 16-game season.
“A lot of our teammates were joking we played the natty on Jan. 19, and Jan. 23 we had three days of celebrating with a parade. Then it was all off to training… That process of being dispersed so quickly shows why you need to be enabled in the present moment, how much it matters to be in the present moment and how much you’ve got to really enjoy the good times while they last.”
?Fernando Mendoza, NFL Quarterback Prospect
Fellow Quarterbacks Grapple with Recent Setbacks and Comebacks
Other quarterbacks chasing their NFL dreams face equally intense challenges. Carson Beck, initially a top contender but sidelined by an elbow injury, rehabilitated successfully and led Miami to a national championship appearance during his return season.
“You look at the beginning of the 2024 season, going into it, nobody envisioned that season to go that way, starting with myself,”
Beck reflected.
I didn’t know I was going to get injured at the end of the season. I didn’t know I was going to end up coming back to college for another year. That was never the plan, right? So when the injury happened, I had declared for the draft. I was going to go through the process and from that point, I’m gone. It’s like ‘OK, Gunner (Stockton) is next up.’ So when I decided to not go to the NFL, it was like, ‘I’m going to go somewhere else.’
?Carson Beck, Quarterback
Drew Allar encountered similar hurdles after his attempt at a national championship unravelled with Penn State’s struggling season and the midseason firing of coach James Franklin. An ankle injury ended Allar’s season, and now he aims to demonstrate full health to NFL teams.
“As soon as I really got back to school and started my rehab process, my whole focus has been getting to this point, being healthy enough to have the chance to put myself out there and throw,”
Allar said.
So I am really excited to go out there on Saturday and just cut it loose.
?Drew Allar, Quarterback
Mendoza’s Immediate Goal: Securing an NFL Opportunity
For Fernando Mendoza, the Combine represents a pivotal moment to prove himself as a franchise quarterback ready to lead an NFL team. Though enjoying high expectations, he maintains the mindset that this evaluation is his job interview for a pro career.
“Right now, I’m unemployed,”
Mendoza stated.
So this is my job interview and like everyone says, it’s the most important job interview of your life. So right now, I’m just trying to do everything to hopefully get employed.
?Fernando Mendoza, NFL Quarterback Prospect
Given Mendoza’s caliber and the Raiders’ pressing need for a dependable quarterback, his performance at the Combine and upcoming Pro Day will greatly influence the early 2024 draft landscape. If Mendoza fulfills his promise, he could become the cornerstone of Las Vegas’s offense for years to come, reshaping the franchise’s future trajectory. Meanwhile, the intense competition in this quarterback-rich draft class ensures that every player will fight fiercely to capture the attention of NFL decision-makers.
