All eyes were on Fernando Mendoza in his preseason debut Friday night against the Arizona Cardinals. The big question raised in the NFL Rookie QB Futures series was whether the top pick in the draft could force the Las Vegas Raiders to rethink their QB plan.
While Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn't budged in his decision to open the season with veteran Kirk Cousins, Mendoza showed enough Friday night to make that decision more difficult if he continues to develop. The rookie quarterback gave glimpses of why he was chosen to become the future of the organization, but did he do enough to make Cousins uneasy or simply spark a more competitive quarterback battle going forward?
Mendoza earns a B+ for an encouraging NFL debut. There were moments when the speed of the game appeared to catch up with the rookie, leading to a few off-target throws and missed reads that kept him from earning a higher grade.
NFL Mocks Rookie QB Grades evaluate quarterbacks on decision-making, accuracy, pocket presence, ball placement, command of the offense, and overall impact, not simply based on statistics.
Why Fernando Mendoza earned a B+
Grade: B+
What stood out: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft didn’t disappoint in his preseason debut against the Cardinals. In a 27-14 loss, Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the poise, anticipation, and arm talent that made him the No. 1 overall selection. Although there were a few misreads and off-target throws, Mendoza was quick to point out those mistakes after the game, demonstrating the self-awareness coaches want from a franchise quarterback.
“It showed me that I need to grow a lot,” Mendoza said following the performance. “…I’m definitely [watching the game film] after this. I have nothing else to do tonight [Friday].”
Best throw/play: The highlight came on his second drive when he fired a strike between two defenders to rookie receiver Malik Benson, displaying the anticipation and confidence to attack a tight throwing window. Two plays later, he capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech to tie the game at 14-14.
Can you hear the drums? 🤩 https://t.co/XtqrjvjEPh
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 14, 2026
What it means for QB competition: If there is any chance of changing head coach Kubiak’s plan to open the 2026 season with Kirk Cousins, Mendoza didn’t hurt those chances, but the veteran QB didn’t leave any door open after his opening drive of the game. Prior to Mendoza entering the game, Cousins orchestrated a scoring drive completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer.
What’s next: A B+ is an encouraging starting point for the Raiders' rookie quarterback. If Mendoza cleans up the small mistakes while continuing to display the anticipation and accuracy that defined his debut, the conversation won't be whether he's the future in Las Vegas, it will be how soon that future arrives.
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