Fernando Mendoza QB UI Heisman Trophy Winner

Jan 21, 2026 at 11:53 AM

genus49
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Posts: 27,975

I'm a sucker for the type of person he is. I think he'll be a great pick...just hate that it's with the Raiders. If he's lucky maybe they'll overthink it and save him...then again Jets are sitting behind them and that may be even worse.

Jan 21, 2026 at 12:02 PM

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,480

Originally posted by riverrunzthruit:
Great kid, but not a first round pick let alone the first pick in the draft.
Over rated as a pro prospect, day 2 pick at best, 4th or 5th rounder IMO.
I wish him all the best.

[ Edited by Phoenix49ers on Jan 21, 2026 at 1:25 PM ]

Jan 21, 2026 at 12:11 PM

jcs
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Posts: 39,845

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by riverrunzthruit:
Great kid, but not a first round pick let alone the first pick in the draft.
Over rated as a pro prospect, day 2 pick at best, 4th or 5th rounder IMO.
I wish him all the best.

He would literally have to do something insane during the draft process like get arrested for murder to fall out if the consensus #1 overall pick.

Jan 21, 2026 at 12:23 PM

miked1978
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Posts: 12,509

Not me i think he is absolutely a first round pick.

Jan 21, 2026 at 1:26 PM

adrianlesnar
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Posts: 6,466

Notice the "overrated, not worth a 1st round pick, 5th rounder imo" contrarian opinion came with zero analysis

Not dissimilar to the Purdy discourse that STILL continues to this day.

[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Jan 21, 2026 at 1:27 PM ]

Jan 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM

krizay
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Posts: 26,487

Originally posted by riverrunzthruit:
Great kid, but not a first round pick let alone the first pick in the draft.
Over rated as a pro prospect, day 2 pick at best, 4th or 5th rounder IMO.
I wish him all the best.

I agree with alot of this. I dont see it with him. Having said that, if he's drafted into a Shanny/McVay type system it will be moot. Any other system i think he gets exposed

Jan 21, 2026 at 4:40 PM

49erBigMac
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Posts: 8,001

Originally posted by krizay:
I agree with alot of this. I dont see it with him. Having said that, if he's drafted into a Shanny/McVay type system it will be moot. Any other system i think he gets exposed

Surprised you don't like him Kriz, accurate, tough with a good head on his shoulders. I think he'll do well, even with the Raiders.

Jan 21, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,480

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Surprised you don't like him Kriz, accurate, tough with a good head on his shoulders. I think he'll do well, even with the Raiders.

This. Touch, accuracy, leadership, good size for the position and just flat out guts. He doesn't have a great arm but its not a terrible arm either. You can build an offense around a guy like that, especially if he ends up in the right scheme.

Jan 21, 2026 at 5:18 PM

jcs
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Posts: 39,845

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Surprised you don't like him Kriz, accurate, tough with a good head on his shoulders. I think he'll do well, even with the Raiders.

This. Touch, accuracy, leadership, good size for the position and just flat out guts. He doesn't have a great arm but its not a terrible arm either. You can build an offense around a guy like that, especially if he ends up in the right scheme.

He also looks the part, has a great story and makes very few mistakes...10td to 1 int in the playoffs. He's had a lot of starts and success too over his career and that's a big one when projecting potential nfl success.

Jan 22, 2026 at 8:55 AM

#10

49ers808
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Posts: 16,466

Kirk Cousins 2.0

And that isn't necessarily a knock because Kirk made a lot of money and had a great NFL career all things considered.

Jan 22, 2026 at 9:14 AM

#11

miked1978
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Posts: 12,509

One thing i noticed from watching a couple Indiana games is they didn't always count on Mendoza to win the game meaning they were more then happy to shove the ball down the opposing teams throat with their run game. Indiana has a very balanced attack and thats a great thing for a QB.

If he goes to the Raiders and they do typical Raider things then he's going to fail. If ho goes to a offense thats like the Shanny/McVay school he's going to excel.

Jan 22, 2026 at 11:18 AM

#12

CatchMaster80
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Posts: 20,237

This is a poor QB class since many have chosen the portal and are staying in college another year. Mendoza is clearly at the top of the list this year and maybe the only 1st round talent. Naturally the combine will turn a couple average QBs into franchise QBs in the minds of some teams. It always happens.

Jan 22, 2026 at 6:28 PM

#13

krizay
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Posts: 26,487

Originally posted by miked1978:
One thing i noticed from watching a couple Indiana games is they didn't always count on Mendoza to win the game meaning they were more then happy to shove the ball down the opposing teams throat with their run game. Indiana has a very balanced attack and thats a great thing for a QB.

If he goes to the Raiders and they do typical Raider things then he's going to fail. If ho goes to a offense thats like the Shanny/McVay school he's going to excel.
__PRESENT__PRESENT

Exactly my thoughts

Jan 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM

#14

FlayvaMeister
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Posts: 7,565

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by krizay:
I agree with alot of this. I dont see it with him. Having said that, if he's drafted into a Shanny/McVay type system it will be moot. Any other system i think he gets exposed

Surprised you don't like him Kriz, accurate, tough with a good head on his shoulders. I think he'll do well, even with the Raiders.

I watched him QB @ Cal, and saw all of his Indiana games. I saw a much improved player.
Was it the scheme, the team, coaching, or all of the mentioned; sadly, he'll be a Raider.