John Spytek Explains Fernando Mendoza Raiders Number 15 at Bloomington Pro Day
fernando mendoza raiders number 15 became the Raiders’ priority once John Spytek saw him in Bloomington. The general manager said the team was sold by the time it arrived for Mendoza’s pro day in Indiana, after earlier seeing him at the CFB National Championship game. That evaluation helped shape the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick.
Spytek On Bloomington
Spytek said it was less about the throwing at the pro day and more about how Mendoza handled the people around him. “It was less about the throwing part of it, but the way that he interacted with his teammates,” he said.
He added that Mendoza took charge of the workout and made the day his own without losing the room. “The way that he took charge of that workout... it was his show, but at the same time he was there for them too. I think he made that pretty well known afterwards.”
Indiana Against Miami
The Raiders had already seen Mendoza in a bigger setting before Bloomington. At the CFB National Championship game, Indiana beat Miami 27-21, and Mendoza finished with 186 passing yards.
He also scored on a goal-line leap, a play Spytek singled out when describing why the quarterback stood out. “The iconic run in particular... the outcome of that game was highly decided on that play,” he said.
“And the moment wasn't too big for him. He didn't speed up in the moment.... I think my favorite part of it was the combination of awareness of where he was on the field and his willingness to put it all on the line for his teammates.”
Raiders Draft Board
The selection fit a larger draft plan. Las Vegas used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on the Heisman Trophy winner, then added Malik Benson at wide receiver and Jermod McCoy after moving up one spot for him at the start of Day 3.
Spytek also addressed the receiving group around Mendoza, saying, “I value receivers I do, I really do,” before naming Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton and Benson as pieces the team believes in. Nailor brings 10 touchdown grabs in his last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, while Bech and Thornton were drafted in the second round and fourth round last year.
McCoy’s addition came after the Raiders traded the 102 overall pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to move up one spot. He is coming off an ACL tear that kept him out of playing last season, and he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Spytek said the Raiders’ process was deliberate, not rushed. “We have a very thorough evaluation of every player at every position,” he said.
