NFL Rookie Report: Raiders must stay patient with Fernando Mendoza, ex-Michigan stars impress

It is make-or-break time for a large portion of NFL rosters as we enter the final week of preseason action before cutdown day on August 30. While many rookies are battling simply to secure a roster spot, others are competing for starting jobs, including No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

In this week's NFL Rookie Report, we look at why the Raiders should stick with their original plan of having Mendoza begin the season on the bench. We also examine the much bigger role Jake Slaughter will now have with the Los Angeles Chargers, spotlight a pair of former Michigan defenders who are making an immediate impression in the NFL, and look at several other rookies whose roster situations are worth monitoring.

Why the Raiders should stick with the Fernando Mendoza plan

The Raiders stated immediately after selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick that he would begin the season as the backup to Kirk Cousins. However, that plan may be changing. After the team’s game against the Houston Texans, head coach Klint Kubiak said the battle for the starting quarterback position will continue into the final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 27.

Despite that, the smart move for the Raiders would still be to start Cousins for most, if not all, of the 2026 season.

The biggest reason is that Mendoza still has some areas of his game that need to be cleaned up. If he can improve those areas before taking the field in regular-season action, it could greatly enhance his effectiveness.

One area that stood out against Houston was Mendoza’s footwork, particularly his ability to get his feet properly aligned with his target. That issue contributed to him completing only 8 of 15 passes and was especially noticeable on the interception he threw, when his pass ended up behind his receiver. Mendoza also needs to become calmer under pressure. When forced to slide within the pocket, he can sometimes rush his decision-making and force throws, which was another factor in his interception against the Texans.

Beyond Mendoza’s development, there are several other reasons for the Raiders to keep him on the bench to begin the season.

For starters, two of the easier opponents on Las Vegas’ schedule come early. The Raiders open the season against the Miami Dolphins before facing the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. If Cousins can lead the Raiders to victories in two of their first three games, it would immediately set the right tone in Sin City and give the team some early momentum.

If Cousins begins to struggle once the schedule becomes significantly tougher, and the Raiders find themselves clearly out of playoff contention, that would be the ideal time to turn to Mendoza. He could get valuable regular-season experience without the same level of pressure that would come with starting him from Week 1. That approach would also allow Mendoza to enter the 2027 season with high expectations rather than coming off a difficult rookie campaign that could damage his confidence.

There is another benefit to keeping Mendoza on the bench: the Raiders would have another offseason to build around him. The wide receiver position is currently a major weakness, ranking 31st in the NFL according to ESPN. With another high draft pick, Las Vegas could add a major weapon such as Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith or Texas’ Cam Coleman.

The Raiders have a potential franchise quarterback in Mendoza. There is no reason to rush him simply because he was the No. 1 overall pick. Let Cousins handle the pressure early, allow Mendoza to develop, and give the rookie a chance to take over when he is truly ready. Sticking with the original plan could ultimately give the Raiders the best chance to maximize Mendoza’s career.

Chargers must count on rookie Jake Slaughter

If the Chargers didn't have bad luck along the offensive line, they would have no luck at all. Last season, they lost both starting tackles, with Rashawn Slater missing the entire season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon and Joe Alt missing 11 games due to an ankle injury. This season, they will be without center Tyler Biadasz, who suffered a torn ACL last week.

That latest injury will force the Chargers to rely on second-round pick Jake Slaughter. Slaughter is coming off a stellar career at Florida, where he was named a second-team All-American last season after allowing just four pressures. He was also named an All-American in 2024 and was the only Power Four center to earn PFF grades of 80.0 or better as both a pass blocker and run blocker.

When evaluating Slaughter's skill set, the first thing that stands out is how well he holds up as a pass blocker. He allowed only two sacks over his final two college seasons, and his high football IQ is a major reason for that success. Slaughter consistently recognizes defensive stunts and does a good job picking up twisting defensive linemen before they can reach the quarterback.

However, he does have several concerns, which is why I had him rated as only the sixth-best center in the 2026 NFL Draft. The biggest concern is his lack of elite power, particularly as a run blocker. His hand usage is another issue, as he can get grabby at times, leading to seven penalties last season at Florida.

To say the least, if the Chargers are going to make a deep playoff run this season, they will need Slaughter to outperform the NFL Draft grade I gave him coming out of college.

NFL rookie news and notes

• The fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft might turn out to be the sweet spot for running backs. Last week, I highlighted how Jonah Coleman is turning heads in Denver Broncos camp, and the running back who was selected next in the fourth round, Mike Washington Jr., is doing the same in Las Vegas. Washington has broken off runs of more than 30 yards in each of the Raiders' first two preseason games and is currently Pro Football Focus' top-graded running back in the NFL with an 88.4 grade. With his explosive ability, Washington should see plenty of carries as the backup to Ashton Jeanty this season and could quickly establish himself as one of the league's most dangerous change-of-pace backs.

"I see a very talented young man with a bright future ahead of him that is extremely humble and hardworking."

Las Vegas Raiders HC Klint Kubiak

• Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL Mocks highlighted Minnesota State Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand as a small-school quarterback to watch, noting that he could become the best Division II quarterback to enter the NFL since Tyson Bagent joined the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. Strand showed why we were so high on him in the Atlanta Falcons' win over the Indianapolis Colts this past week, throwing for 212 yards while completing 71% of his passes, including his first eight attempts of the game, while also rushing for a 22-yard touchdown. If Strand can put together another strong performance against the Miami Dolphins, look for him to make the Falcons' roster as their third-string quarterback.

• One of the best defensive performances of Week 2 of the preseason came from Detroit Lions second-round pick Derrick Moore. Moore, who was making his preseason debut after battling a groin injury, recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and two pressures against the Washington Commanders. This is the type of disruptive performance NFL scouts became accustomed to seeing from Moore at Michigan, where he recorded 10 sacks last season and was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection. If he can stay healthy, Moore has a chance to make an immediate impact on Detroit's defensive line.

• Another defensive performance that stood out in Week 2 of the preseason came from Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham, who, like fellow Michigan product Derrick Moore, made his preseason debut this past weekend. In his first game as a Cowboy, Barham recorded a team-high five tackles in the first half while also adding a tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure. This is the type of performance he consistently produced at Michigan, where he earned an impressive 90.4 PFF run-defense grade while displaying the strength to take on blockers and make plays against the run. Look for Barham to continue battling Dee Winters for a starting linebacker spot, with a strong chance to eventually win the role even if he doesn't open the season as the starter.

• One fifth-round pick who is buried on the depth chart is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Cole Payton. In the Eagles' latest preseason game, Payton played only one drive, which came on the final possession of the game and ended with a fumble. The main reason for his limited opportunities is that Philadelphia is still trying to determine who will be its second-string quarterback between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. However, if the Eagles decide to keep both quarterbacks on the roster, it could put Payton's job in jeopardy heading into the regular season.

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