With the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the Las Vegas Raiders sit at the center of the league’s offseason conversation as they are reportedly set to bring in ex-Indiana star Fernando Mendoza.
Armed with the No. 1 overall pick after a disastrous 3-14 campaign, Las Vegas is widely expected to reset its future at quarterback after Geno Smith’s disappointing season.
For one prominent former NFL signal-caller, the answer is already clear. Former Pro Bowl quarterback Robert Griffin III offered a detailed and emphatic endorsement of former Hoosiers quarterback Mendoza during his “Outta Pocket” podcast.
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RGIII framed the promising passer not as a flashy gamble, but as something far more valuable for a rebuilding franchise.
“There is no such thing as a safe number one overall pick,” Griffin said.
“Let’s be very clear about that…Mendoza isn’t just a talent. He’s an anti-chaos quarterback.”
A quarterback built to reduce risk
Griffin stressed that teams evaluating Mendoza should move past highlight throws and athletic measurables.
Instead, he believes the defining trait is how Mendoza consistently limits volatility at the most important position in sports – a skill increasingly prized in modern NFL offenses.
“Mendoza’s biggest superpower is protecting the football while still being aggressive,” Griffin said. “That’s not YOLO ball.”
Mendoza the safe but effective option
According to Griffin, Mendoza thrives by blending safe passes with calculated aggression.
He does not rely on reckless improvisation or low-percentage decisions, instead operating within structure while still attacking defenses vertically when opportunities arise.
That balance, Griffin argued, is what separates long-term franchise quarterbacks from short-lived sensations. He summarized his evaluation by calling Mendoza “a franchise fixer, not just a passer.”
“If you’re drafting number one, stop chasing the prettiest traits,” Griffin addded. “Draft a quarterback who reduces your risk and raises your floor on day one while also maintaining an extremely high ceiling.”
Mendoza enters the draft following one of the most dominant seasons in recent college football history.
After transferring from California, he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record, capped by a College Football Playoff National Championship and a Heisman Trophy win.
Statistically, the season was equally overwhelming. Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his passes, threw 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions, averaged 9.3 yards per attempt, and posted a 182.9 passer efficiency rating.
Raiders set for rebuild
For Las Vegas, the timing could not be more critical. Veteran quarterback Smith will not return, and former head coach Pete Carroll was dismissed after Week 18.
The Raiders are one of the final teams still searching for a head coach, with owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady expected to lead the process.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is among the candidates scheduled to interview.
All signs point toward Las Vegas using the top pick to secure its long-term answer at quarterback to give their new head coach a strong starting base for the rebuild.
If Griffin is right, Mendoza may be more than the best option available – he may be exactly the stabilizing force the Raiders have been searching for.
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