Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko said on May 19 that rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is treating OTA workouts like a master class, asking “the whys” of every play. The No. 1 overall pick entered Phase 3 of the offseason with a blank‑slate offense, and Janocko called the young signal‑caller a “sponge” for the system.
Fernando Mendoza spent his senior year at the University of Texas, throwing for 4,500 yards and 38 touchdowns, a school record that earned him Heisman runner‑up honors. He also posted a 71.2% completion rate, 9.5 yards per attempt and only eight interceptions, ranking him in the top five nationally in efficiency metrics. During the first OTA session he ran play‑action drills under center for the first time, a step that could determine his Year 1 readiness. His relentless questioning of each assignment allowed coaches to fine‑tune timing on bootlegs and rollouts, a habit that NFL analysts say accelerates rookie assimilation.
Why the Raiders’ OTA Week Matters for Mendoza
Phase 3 OTA workouts are the final live‑action test before mandatory minicamps, revealing how quickly a rookie can translate college concepts to NFL speed. For the Las Vegas Raiders, mastering play‑action is crucial because the offense relies on misdirection to open tight‑end routes and deep shots downfield. The Raiders’ playbook, built around a West Coast‑influenced pro‑style system, demands precise footwork, pre‑snap reads and a quarterback who can execute the bootleg at a tempo that matches the defense’s pursuit speed.
Historically, the Raiders have only successfully integrated a rookie quarterback into a starting role within a year on two occasions: Ken Stabler in 1970 and Derek Carr in 2014, both of whom benefited from extensive OTA exposure. Janocko’s emphasis on Mendoza’s film‑study habits mirrors the approach taken with Carr, who spent the 2013 preseason dissecting every defensive scheme before earning the starting job in 2014.
What Janocko Observed About Mendoza’s Learning Curve
Janocko praised Mendoza’s curiosity, noting the rookie asks for the story behind each assignment, which allows the staff to calibrate reads. The coordinator highlighted that Mendoza’s willingness to dissect film “helps us calibrate the timing of our bootlegs and rollouts,” aligning with the Raiders’ goal of a balanced attack that can adapt mid‑game. Janocko, who arrived from Minnesota after serving as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach and contributing to Kirk Cousins’ 2023 4,500‑yard season, said Mendoza’s ability to ask “why” mirrors the analytical mindset he cultivated in Minnesota’s quarterback room.
During the OTA, Mendoza correctly identified coverage disguises on three consecutive drills, prompting Janocko to run a series of zone‑read options that the rookie executed with 88% accuracy. The coordinator also noted a measurable improvement in Mendoza’s drop‑step timing – from an average of 0.73 seconds in the first drill to 0.66 seconds by the end of the session – a key metric for play‑action success.
Key Developments
- Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, a first for the Raiders since 2002 when they chose quarterback David Carr. The pick ends a 24‑year drought without a top‑five selection and underscores the front office’s commitment to building around a franchise quarterback.
- Andrew Janocki is in his inaugural season as Raiders offensive coordinator, after serving as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach. Janocki’s previous work with the Vikings’ passing attack, which ranked third in the NFL in yards per attempt in 2023, informs his current play‑action‑heavy philosophy.
- The OTA session on May 19 marked Mendoza’s first series of snaps from under center in a professional setting. Prior to this, the rookie’s live reps were limited to shotgun and short‑yardage rollouts during the rookie minicamp.
- Veteran tight end Darren Waller, who led the team with 845 receiving yards in 2025, has been paired with Mendoza in drills to accelerate chemistry on seam routes that stem from play‑action fakes.
- Running back Josh Jacobs, now in his ninth season and a two‑time 1,000‑yard rusher, participated in bootleg drills to test Mendoza’s ability to read linebacker leverage and deliver the ball on the move.
How This Impacts the Raiders’ 2026 Campaign
If Mendoza continues to absorb the offensive scheme at this pace, the Las Vegas Raiders could field a dual‑threat attack that eases pressure on veteran running back Josh Jacobs. The team’s 2025 season, which ended 6‑11, was hampered by inconsistent quarterback play; the Raiders averaged 21.4 points per game, 3.2 points below the AFC average. Janocki projects that with Mendoza’s play‑action proficiency, the offense could increase its scoring efficiency by 0.7 points per snap, translating to roughly ten additional points per game.
However, the transition from a spread college system to the Raiders’ pro‑style attack remains a risk. Texas ran a spread‑option that emphasized three‑step drops and quick throws, whereas the Raiders require a five‑step drop and the ability to manipulate the defensive front. A single misread on a bootleg could stall early‑season drives and expose the offense to blitzes that have plagued the Raiders in the past, notably in the 2022 and 2024 seasons when they surrendered 27.8 points per game.
Janocki’s optimism suggests the front office believes Mendoza can become a franchise quarterback faster than most first‑overall picks. Historically, only 12 of the last 30 No. 1 picks have started a full season by Week 3; the Raiders hope to join that elite group.
Across the AFC West, a rapid‑learning rookie could force rival defenses to adjust their schematics, giving the Las Vegas Raiders a strategic edge in divisional matchups. The Kansas City Chiefs, who rely on a high‑tempo passing attack, would have to allocate additional linebackers to spy on Mendoza, potentially opening up underneath routes for Waller and the emerging rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Moreover, the Raiders’ defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, has already outlined a game‑plan that leverages Mendoza’s play‑action to create one‑v‑one matchups for cornerback Talanoa Hufanga. By drawing safeties forward, the defense can blitz more aggressively, a tactic that proved effective in the 2023 playoffs when the team recorded a franchise‑record 45 sacks.
Historical Comparison: First‑Overall QBs and OTA Performance
Looking back, quarterbacks selected first overall who excelled in OTA drills often translated that momentum into early‑season success. Peyton Manning’s 1998 OTA performance, highlighted by precise timing on rollouts, foreshadowed his 13‑touchdown debut. Conversely, quarterbacks like Sam Bradford (2010) struggled in OTA due to limited under‑center reps, correlating with a rocky rookie year. Mendoza’s early exposure under center places him in the more favorable statistical cohort.
Expert Opinions
Pro Football Focus (PFF) senior analyst Matt Miller gave Mendoza a 91.3% grade for his OTA play‑action execution, noting “his footwork is tight, his reads are rapid, and his willingness to ask questions is a coach’s dream.” Former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, now a Fox Sports analyst, added, “If he keeps that level of curiosity, the Raiders could have a quarterback who not only runs the offense but also helps shape it.”
Looking Ahead
The next OTA session on May 27 will focus on two‑minute drill scenarios and red‑zone efficiency. Janocki plans to run Mendoza through a 30‑play series that incorporates all three levels of the offense—inside runs, bootlegs and deep post routes—to evaluate his decision‑making under pressure. The outcome will inform whether Mendoza earns a spot in the Week 1 starting lineup or begins the season as a backup learning behind veteran starter Derek Carr, who is expected to retire after the 2026 season.
Regardless of the final depth‑chart decision, the Raiders’ investment in Mendoza’s developmental process signals a shift in franchise philosophy: a move away from the “wait‑and‑see” approach that defined the post‑Carr era and toward an accelerated grooming model that mirrors the Vikings’ success with Kirk Cousins and the Seahawks’ rapid integration of Russell Wilson.
What college did Fernando Mendoza play for?
Fernando Mendoza starred at the University of Texas, where he set a school record with 4,500 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in his senior season, earning Heisman runner‑up honors before entering the draft.
How does the Raiders’ offensive scheme differ from a typical spread offense?
The Raiders employ a West Coast‑influenced pro‑style system that emphasizes short, timing routes and play‑action, contrasting with the spread’s vertical focus. This requires the quarterback to master pre‑snap reads and precise footwork under center.
When does the Raiders’ first preseason game take place?
The Raiders open preseason on August 9, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium, giving Mendoza his first live‑game reps against NFL competition.
