Fernando Mendoza says he began studying the QB style of Kirk Cousins two years ago, an early step that now lines up with the Raiders’ coaching setup under Klint Kubiak.
Fernando Mendoza’s draft story is turning into a head-turner, not because of what he’s doing now, but because of how long he claims he’s been ready.
On Wednesday. Mendoza joined the Dan Patrick show and described a preparation process that started long before the Raiders were a realistic target.. He said that two years ago he spent time watching Kirk Cousins—specifically. Minnesota Vikings pass tape across an entire season.. In his telling. he didn’t just sample highlights; he treated it like a study project. breaking down throws whether they were completed or not.
He also explained the idea behind the work: comparisons.. While in California. Mendoza said people were pointing out parallels between his game and QBs like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold.. That kind of early chatter might sound like noise to some prospects. but Mendoza framed it as a cue to investigate.. After finishing his own process. he would watch roughly 30 minutes to an hour of Cousins or Darnold. using those sessions as a way to understand how similar quarterbacks operated.
What makes the revelation more significant for Raiders fans is where the dots connect—especially with the coaching staff.. Mendoza isn’t just stepping into any offense.. The Raiders’ situation includes Klint Kubiak, and Kubiak’s history matters.. Mendoza’s preparation timeline overlaps with Kubiak’s earlier role in Minnesota. when Kubiak was connected to Cousins’s development as both a coordinator and a coach during several seasons.. In other words. the prospect claims he was studying one system while not fully realizing he was also studying the environment he might soon join.
There’s also a layer of quarterback continuity here that fans can feel even without a playbook in front of them.. When an offense and a coaching philosophy align with a prospect’s habits, the learning curve tends to shrink.. Mendoza’s approach—watching real games in full context. noticing patterns beyond outcomes—fits the kind of preparation teams hope for in a high-stakes rookie transition.
The most intriguing part is the timing.. A two-year gap is long in sports terms, especially in the draft cycle where plans change quickly.. Yet Mendoza’s “unknowingly preparing” narrative suggests he wasn’t just reacting to the moment.. He was building a foundation and then. as the opportunity tightened. those earlier choices began to mirror the Raiders’ offensive direction.
From a human perspective, this kind of preparation story also speaks to how prospects manage uncertainty.. Draft talk can be a roller coaster—new comparisons, shifting team needs, and media buzz that arrives fast.. Mendoza’s answer wasn’t to chase headlines.. He described structured work and repetition, even when the destination wasn’t guaranteed.. That mindset can matter in the NFL. where the jump isn’t only about athletic ability. but about how quickly a player can process information under pressure.
The Raiders’ selection at number one (as the story frames it) will come with enormous attention. but the pressure often starts before a player takes their first snap.. If Mendoza truly built his study habits around quarterbacks whose games resemble his strengths. that could help him translate instincts into decisions that match a specific coaching system—particularly one with deep ties to Cousins.
For the broader NFL conversation, this is also a reminder of how scouting and development can align in unexpected ways.. A prospect’s work ethic isn’t always visible during workouts and interviews. but film study habits can be quietly telling.. Teams invest heavily in characterizing how a quarterback thinks.. Mendoza’s claim about watching full-season pass tape suggests he’s not only aiming to look like certain quarterbacks—he’s trying to understand how they play.
Looking forward, the question won’t be whether Mendoza can handle the media moment.. It will be whether the Raiders’ offense can translate his preparation into consistent reads, timing windows, and play-to-play confidence.. If the Kubiak-era system clicks with the habits he built during those two years of tape. the fit could feel less like a gamble and more like a plan that finally found its team.