KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mendoza threw 56 passes at Indiana Pro Day with 53 completions
• Only 3 incompletions — 2 were dropped passes
• Raiders sent massive contingent including HC Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek
• Big finish with a 60-yard bomb to Omar Cooper Jr.

The News

Fernando Mendoza closed the book on his pre-draft season Wednesday at Indiana Pro Day — and confirmed exactly why the Raiders have had the No. 1 pick on lock for months.

Mendoza threw 56 passes in front of a massive Raiders contingent that included head coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek, among dozens of other team officials. The result: 53 completions. Two of the three misses were dropped passes by his receivers. The third was a miss. He finished in under 30 minutes.

The highlight of the day came when Mendoza uncorked a 60-yard deep ball to Omar Cooper Jr. to close the session — the kind of throw that makes a coaching staff lean forward in their seats. He was accurate short, intermediate, and deep throughout, showing the same rhythm that made him a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Indiana last season.

Mendoza showed up in terrific athletic shape, having added good bulk to his frame. He was crisp in his dropbacks, showed consistent velocity on all types of throws, and handled the entire session like a veteran who has done this before.

Why It Matters

The Raiders did not send Kubiak and Spytek to Indiana to be thorough. They went because they wanted one last look at the face of their franchise before the April 23 draft. Everything Mendoza showed Wednesday reinforced what they already believed: he is the guy.

For a franchise that has not had answers at quarterback since Derek Carr is decline, the scouting process for the most important position on the field is effectively over. Mendoza locked it in today.

Tom Brady, who is part-owner of the Raiders and a pocket-passing legend himself, was surely watching the footage with interest. The arm strength, the accuracy, the composure — it all translates.

WALK THE PLANK 🏴☠️

Here is what stands out about today: Mendoza did not need to do this. He was already the No. 1 pick. The decision was made months ago. But he showed up anyway, threw 56 passes, and made sure every single person in that facility — and watching from Las Vegas — came away with zero doubts.

That is the mentality you want in your franchise quarterback. The guys who coast into draft day and the guys who finish the process like they still have something to prove. Mendoza is the latter.

The drops were telling too. Two of his three misses were not his fault. When your receivers are fighting to catch up to your passes, that is a different problem than when the quarterback is missing. Mendoza was sharp. His teammates were the ones who let a few slip.

Three weeks from tonight, the Raiders are on the clock. We already knew who they were going to call. Today just confirmed it.