Fernando Mendoza ends his preseason with one TD, two INTs

Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, was thrust into a prominent role as the Las Vegas Raiders faced the San Francisco 49ers during preseason Week 3. Coach Klint Kubiak initially opted to have Cousins start the first two drives before allowing Mendoza to take over. Despite an impressive start to his preseason debut, Mendoza's performance in his final preseason game highlighted his limitations.

The rookie quarterback relied heavily on checkdowns, overthrew targets, and was often late with his throws, leading to sacks and an interception. Mendoza's struggles were further compounded by the Raiders' offensive line, which provided inconsistent protection. While the complete film analysis awaits, it is clear that Mendoza still has significant room for improvement before he can challenge veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting quarterback position. The grade for Mendoza's performance in this preseason finale is a C-.