AnalysisFernando Mendoza largely impressed in his preseason debut, though made some mistakes, like taking a second-quarter sack. David Becker / Associated PressAug. 13, 2026 10:44 pm EDT Updated LAS VEGAS, Nev. — On Thursday night, there were moments when Fernando Mendoza showed why he was the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. There were also moments when he looked like a rookie.Making his NFL preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders, Mendoza finished 10-for-16 passing for 96 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. He took over for Kirk Cousins after the veteran led the Raiders to a touchdown on the team’s first offensive series. The last pass Mendoza threw in the first half was his lone touchdown of the night, a slant to second-year receiver Jack Bech on third-and-goal.The touchdown was impressive, especially considering Mendoza took a sack on first down two plays earlier. But the TD wasn’t Mendoza’s lone highlight. A 19-yard connection to rookie receiver Malik Benson over the middle showed Mendoza is growing comfortable operating from under center and in the play-action game, questions about the quarterback after he operated in a shotgun-heavy scheme at the University of Indiana that frequently used run-pass option concepts.