Why Fernando Mendoza is excited to go to the Raiders (0:23) Fernando Mendoza breaks down the situation he is walking into in Las Vegas. (0:23) Ryan McFadden Apr 24, 2026, 07:51 PM ET Close Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN's NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun. HENDERSON, Nev. -- Fernando Mendoza walked through the glass doors of the Las Vegas Raiders ' training facility with a large smile, overjoyed that his lifelong dream had turned into a reality. But Mendoza had a great understanding of the burden that comes with being the first pick in the draft and the new franchise quarterback of the Silver & Black. On Mendoza's first day as a member of the Raiders, the South Florida native was greeted by franchise legends such as Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff.…