The Raiders got a quick reminder on Thursday that even the most hyped rookie can get burned in the preseason. Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas’ number one overall draft pick, threw a pick-six against the Houston Texans, but he didn’t let the mistake snowball. He settled in and put together some solid plays as the game moved along.
That bounce-back is part of why the Raiders are so intrigued by him. Cornerback Eric Stokes put it plainly when talking about what separates Mendoza from the pack.
“The back shoulder throws are a killer. …He's just growing, day by day, to where you can see it in his play, talk and confidence,” said Stokes, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.
Mendoza’s ability on those throws has followed him since his college days at Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and helped lead the Hoosiers to their first national championship in school history.
That huge season made him the consensus No. 1 pick, and Las Vegas landed that selection after its rough 2025 campaign. For now, the expectation around the league is that Mendoza will open the year on the sideline and learn behind veteran Kirk Cousins, who the Raiders added in free agency.
But that setup feels temporary. Eventually, the franchise is counting on Mendoza to take the job and run with it.
The pick-six on Thursday was a rough spot, no doubt, but it also looked like the kind of lesson a young quarterback has to absorb. And even with that mistake on the ledger, the Raiders’ confidence in Mendoza doesn’t seem to be fading.
Las Vegas is set to open the regular season on September 13 at home against the Miami Dolphins.
In Other News...
Tom Brady Just Sent Raiders Fans A Loud Fernando Mendoza Message
Tom Brady has been making headlines again around the Raiders, this time with a move that has plenty of layers beyond the usual memorabilia chase. The teams part-owner recently went after a one-of-one Fernando Mendoza rookie card, a piece that carries Mendozas first NFL autograph and checks every box for a high-end collector. The deal took weeks of back-and-forth to complete and reportedly included both cash and an autographed jersey before Brady was able to land the card and show it off publicly.
For Raiders fans, the intrigue goes beyond the card itself and into what Brady seems to be signaling about Mendozas future. He views the purchase as more than a collectors trophy, treating it as a bet on Mendozas potential with Las Vegas. Whether it is savvy investment or simply a loud show of confidence, Bradys move adds another layer to the growing attention around the rookie and the role he could eventually play for the franchise. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Already Moved On From Their Newest Receiver Addition
The Raiders latest wide receiver swing lasted only a week, with Noah Brown coming in, getting into a preseason game, and then being released after a single catch for 11 yards. It was a quick turn for a player who had just been added to a position group that has been shaped all summer by injuries and the constant search for reliable depth.
Las Vegas did not immediately bring in another receiver after moving on from Brown, which makes the timing worth watching as the roster settles in. With injuries forcing adjustments and another wideout expected back soon, the Raiders appear to be sorting through numbers and roles rather than making a long-term commitment at the bottom of the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Former Raiders Specialist Just Walked Into A High-Stakes Kicker Battle
The Saints are adding a familiar name to a kicking competition that had already been drawing attention, bringing in veteran Daniel Carlson to challenge for the starting job. Carlson spent years with the Raiders and built a reputation as one of the leagues most reliable specialists, earning two All-Pro nods before landing back in the middle of a training camp battle in New Orleans.
Charlie Smyth had been viewed as the frontrunner, with Tanner Brown also in the mix, but Carlsons arrival changes the feel of the race. For the Saints, it turns a straightforward camp story into a pressure-packed evaluation, with a proven veteran now trying to carve out a spot before the regular season arrives. [Read more 🡒]