Fernando Mendoza: Preseason scouting report for the new Indiana QB
Mendoza is an exceptional passer when given time and space to operate, but his game has clear limitations thanks to mostly average tools. He has good size at 6'5', 225 pounds, but he will need to get stronger and quicker to avoid traffic in the pocket.
As a passer, Mendoza is solidly above average. His arm strength is borderline excellent, and he can pick defenses apart when his protection holds up. He routinely delivers throws with plenty of zip and is at his best in the intermediate area, working off play-action. He's highly effective in rhythm and doesn't lose arm strength or accuracy on designed rollouts.
He'll need better deep ball consistency, as deep shots tend to be underthrown or behind the target, and he also needs to work on his touch when layering throws. That said, Mendoza is still a highly accurate and effective passer.
Check out my full Fernando Mendoza preseason report and grade on my Substack.
His processing is borderline NFL-ready, but his anticipation and decision-making must improve. There were multiple awful interceptions on last year's film simply because he didn't recognize a linebacker sitting underneath the target.
Mendoza is not a running threat, but is smart enough to take advantage of what the defense gives him. His average athleticism and speed show in space, so don't expect him to be part of the rushing attack at Indiana.
Overall, Mendoza's passing ability is solid, and his average athletic tools are tolerable given his NFL-ready arm strength and accuracy. His processing and anticipation must be more consistent in 2025, but Mendoza has a chance to be high on NFL draft boards next spring.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
Joey Bosa says he's hung out with new Bills teammates more than any other in career
For the first time in his professional career, five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa is playing for a new team. And that's not the only new first of his career. "I hung out more with teammates in Buffalo in the 6 weeks I was here than probably my entire career," the 10-year NFL veteran defensive end said to the press. Bosa joined the Bills on a one-year deal. One in which he's hoping to buck the trends of his past injury history and compete for a championship with a playoff contender. His comments on hanging out with his teammates read as consistent with what's known about the Bills roster, that they spend much of their time together off the field, forging a strong bond that translates to the locker room and onto the field in game play as well. The adjustment to his new team as well as to Western New York has been a good one for the 30-year-old and his family. "It's nice, it gets repetitive every year the same thing over and over again, I mean I loved my time with the Chargers and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I think it was just getting a little redundant, especially with my injuries the last few years, I needed a fresh start, and new scenery, so it's been a really pleasant surprise, getting to know Buffalo and Orchard Park, it's been beautiful," Bosa shared. "I have a yard, I have space to live and my dog can run around and we've got families of geese in the backyard that we've been following, my fiancée loves it, the fans are amazing unless you're at dinner and they're screaming mid dinner, I can't remember the song (probably shout) but it was quite the experience." Buffalo won't need him to play every snap, as they have defensive end depth to keep his workload manageable so as to maximise his opportunities to remain healthy and impact games. They are hoping he can form a dynamic threat across from edge rusher Greg Rousseau, and with A.J. Epenesa and Landon Jackson in their rotation. The group provides the Bills with tremendous defensive length against opponents (Jackson - 33 1/4" arms, Epenesa - 34 1/2" arms, Walker - 34 1/4" arms, Bosa - 33 3/8" arms). "I'm gonna try to be the player that I've always been," he noted. "Like I mentioned, stay healthy, I think I can be dominant still. I'm still only just 30. I'm not washed just yet. I'm getting there, but I got a little bit longer." The veteran pass rusher reached the playoffs three times in nine years with the Chargers, including two wild-card round exits. Buffalo, meanwhile, has made the playoffs in seven of the last eight years and is a Super Bowl contender. "Let's hope I don't mess that up now," Bosa added. "Hopefully, I can be a tool to help push it over that edge to get to the place that obviously everybody here has their eyes set on. It's fun coming to an organization that has been there and done it. They all have a really common goal, and we all know what that is. Every team has that same goal, but not every team has the same chance of actually achieving that goal. So yeah, it's exciting. I just want to do anything I can to help the team win, and hopefully we just continue the success." I mean, he's a dog. He's everything I've seen watching him, like when he was on the Chargers, you know? So, it's fun to be out there with a with a guy like that," Rousseau said about his new teammate after Monday's practice. "It's a blessing. Also, just a really cool dude. Off the field, we have conversations about random stuff every day. When asked what stands out about Bosa, he also noted his work ethic and attitude. 'He's consistent, you know what I'm saying? The way he just comes to work, has a good attitude," Rousseau added. "Obviously, his experience, you know, so I mean, we're really happy to have him." Bosa is embracing the fresh start and the high expectations that come with joining a championship contender in Buffalo, and is confident in what he has to offer. "I think I still have a lot left to give playing-wise, not just wisdom-wise," he said. "As long as I stay healthy like we're talked about, which I'm going to do everything in my power to do that and be as helpful as I can to this team, I think I can go out there and have a great year."
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
5 stunning fantasy football trophies to order for your 2025 league
Unless you're the Super Bowl champs, nothing compares to draft day for your fantasy football team. For many, a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings or a friend's basement-turned draft "war room" is as intense as the actual NFL Draft itself. While that's fun, the feeling of watching your hand-picked team (or auto-drafted, but please no) will your funkily-named squad to a championship is almost euphoric. Sadly, it's been too long since I've had that feeling as my wife has won each of the past two seasons. But not this year! For those champions, money or bragging rights is typically the reward. However, why not take it a step further? On Amazon, there's a ton of fantasy football trophy options, which is just about the coolest thing ever. Below, we found five of the coolest and wackiest trophies available for the upcoming season: Shop fantasy football trophies on Amazon 1. Fantasy Football Trophy for true NFL fans 2. Fantasy Football Trophy in gold and silver 3. Fantasy Football Trophy for dynasty leagues 4. Fantasy Football Trophy for GOAT leagues 5. Fantasy Football trophy for baller leagues
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
Drew Allar's growth from 3-star recruit to Penn State's leader
From Underdog to Top Dog James Franklin didn't hesitate when asked about Drew Allar at Big Ten Media Days. He's proud of him. Not just for what he does on the field, but for how far he's come since high school. 'Drew has made tremendous growth every single year,' Franklin said. 'All the way back to recruiting.' He reminded everyone that Allar wasn't always seen as a surefire star. 'When we first started recruiting, [he] was a three-star recruit, kind of a throwback recruit,' Franklin said. 'Kept getting better, kept moving up the charts.' Some recruiting services had Drew Allar as the top-rated quarterback in the nation. That alone shows the type of work Allar put in before even stepping on campus. Franklin also pointed out how Allar had to sit and learn his freshman year as a backup behind an NFL quarterback. He didn't complain. He got better. 'He's now 6'5", 235 pounds, can make every throw on the field,' Franklin said. 'He's shown that he can hurt people with his feet and has really, really made tremendous strides as a leader.' That leadership is a huge part of why Franklin is so high on him heading into the 2025 season. 'He's willing to have tough conversations with his teammates,' he said. 'He's holding himself to a high standard.' Allar already had first-round NFL Draft buzz last season, but chose to return to Penn State for one more year. That decision says everything. 'Unfinished business collectively as a team but also as an individual,' Franklin said. For Franklin, Allar represents what Penn State is all about—doing things the right way and playing for the team, not just yourself. 'He's really what it's all about,' Franklin said. 'It's team, team, team. It's community. It's Penn State.' Now, heading into his third straight year as the starting quarterback, Allar is on track to graduate this fall. He already has more than 800 completions, 50-plus touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions—stats that put him in rare company since 1956. The stage is set for Allar to not only lead but also to take the final leap. Franklin and the rest of Penn State believe he's ready. And honestly, after everything Allar's shown on and off the field, it's hard not to believe it too.
