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Fernando Mendoza Will Not Be Throwing At The Nfl Combine

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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the Heisman Trophy with Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during the Indiana Football College Football Playoff National Championship celebration and parade at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders front office and coaching staff are getting ready for the NFL combine next week. It is the first time they will get a chance to meet with all the top prospects and see them work out in person. This will be an opportunity for them to build their draft boards and decide which prospects they like best in the 2026 NFL draft.

Of course, the number one pick is slated for Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is basically a shoo-in for the Raiders to pair with new head coach Klint Kubiak to build their offense of the future.

However, while the Raiders will meet with Mendoza during the interviews, they won’t get a chance to see him throw. They will have to wait until his pro day on April 1st to see their future quarterback throw.

Fernando Mendoza to @PatMcAfeeShow two weeks ago: “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… https://t.co/lRNFwt8t6g

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 22, 2026

Of course, the Raiders won’t mind, since itis common for a top draft pick to skip the combine. The comfort of throwing to your own players allows Mendoza to display his skill set in a better setting than the combine workouts. It shouldn’t make much difference, given that the meeting between him and the Silver and Black is just as vital.

In other Raiders news:

  • Newest TDL draft show: The Tape Don’t Lie, crew has their final breakdown before the combine with Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman and Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis.
  • Raiders’ Maxx Crosby joins rival 49ers on Premier League pitch: Maxx Crosby becomes part-owner of a soccer team.
  • Defensive player from each position to watch at the 2026 NFL Combine: Levi Edwards of the Raiders website breaks down the best defensive players from each position to watch at the NFL combine.