Raiders' Fernando Mendoza makes NFL debut: A look at how No. 1 overall pick performed

The Raiders rookie QB was solid out of the gate in the Raiders It took until Week 5, but the 2026 No. 1 overall pick got to make his NFL debut. Down 45-17 in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots, the Las Vegas Raiders opted to put Fernando Mendoza in to replace Kirk Cousins, marking the rookie's first appearance in the regular season. Mendoza took over for Cousins, who went 19-of-28 for 243 yards and one touchdown, with just over six minutes remaining. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner had a solid start, starting off 5-for-5, including a 16-yard pass on Vegas' final drive of the game. The 23-year-old threw his first incompletion on 1st-and-10 on the Patriots' 20-yard line, followed by a 6-yard pass that set up 3rd-and-4 on the New England 14-yard line.

An incomplete pass set up fourth down, and with nothing to lose, the Raiders went for it. Mendoza scrambled and had a decent run, but fell just short of the line to gain, prompting a turnover on downs and an eventual victory formation for the Patriots. The No. 1 overall pick's final stat line was 6-of-8 for 48 yards, with no touchdowns, picks or sacks taken. Mendoza began the season as Cousins' backup and became the first No. 1 overall selected quarterback to not