In a decision that surprised absolutely no one, Fernando Mendoza has elected not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine starting later this month. The former star quarterback of the Indiana Hoosiers is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza's draft stock could not be any higher, so why would he possibly subject himself to it ever plummeting?
He explained his decision to not throw at the combine while appearing on The Pat McAfee Show.
"At the combine, you're throwing to different receivers, it's a whole different thing. And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance. I want to throw at pro day with my guys, with my running backs and be there with the boys."
With all eyes on Indiana's upcoming pro day, Mendoza wants to elevate his teammates' draft stock.
"The combine, I don't think throwing's going to be a priority just because it's such a quick turnaround."
His two star receivers from last season in Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt are likely day-two picks.
Fernando Mendoza wisely elects to not throw at the NFL Combine
While every top NFL Draft prospect is different, it has become more en vogue in recent years for prospective high-end quarterbacks to only get their measurables taken and conduct interviews at the NFL Combine. They would much rather throw in a far more controlled environment during their pro days. Again, Mendoza said it best. He wants to throw to his guys, not to ones he does not know.
In due time, he will have to develop chemistry with his new NFL teammates, presumably in Las Vegas. But let's cross that bridge when we get there. Anything and everything Mendoza does between now and day one of the 2026 NFL Draft should be about elevating his former teammates' draft stock, without doing any damage to his. He will want to see Cooper and Sarratt climb up the board as well.
Overall, pro days can often make or break a quarterback draft prospect. Then again, did we not all see some of the smartest NFL talent evaluators get bamboozled by one throw Zach Wilson made during his BYU pro day in gym shorts? Mendoza's body of work speaks for itself. His leadership is off the charts. He is everything the Raiders need. There is no need for him to get in the way of that reality.
For now, look for Mendoza to only throw at Indiana's pro day to help elevate his guys' draft stocks.