The Las Vegas Raiders tapped into the ‘unique’ benefit of consulting Tom Brady before they picked Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Mendoza’s journey from overlooked two-star recruit to the top of the NFL draft was completed on Thursday night.
He flashed a big smile at home after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name, put a Raiders cap on and began hugging his family while seated on the couch, saving the warmest embrace for his mother.
The 22-year-old quarterback wasn’t in Pittsburgh for the festivities, choosing instead to celebrate with family and friends at home in Coral Gables, Florida.
When the broadcast cut to the Raiders’ draft ‘war room’ celebrating their selection of Mendoza, there was no sign of Brady.
But the Raiders minority owner will no doubt have been involved in the decision to select Mendoza and GM John Spytek was asked how beneficial it’s been having the seven-time Super Bowl champion to lean on.
The Raiders leaned into the ‘unique’ benefit of having Tom Brady to pick Fernando Mendoza
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Mendoza was taken with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night
Raiders GM John Spytek hailed Brady as a ‘great partner’ since he became a minority owner
‘He’s just always been a great partner to me and really to this Raiders organization,’ Spytek told NFL Network after the Mendoza pick.
‘Whatever we’ve needed him to do or be a part of he has.
‘Specifically when you’re evaluating a quarterback and there’s this much involved in it and you have this opportunity with the first overall pick, to have Tom be a part of that is a unique and special part of the process.’
Mendoza will be heading to Las Vegas on Friday to begin an NFL career that may have seemed improbable when few colleges were interested in him coming out of high school.
‘The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can’t thank Him enough,’ Mendoza said.
‘I’m just looking forward to get to work, prove it at the next level. College was fantastic.
‘I’m so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game, the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it every single day.’
Mendoza was not in Pittsburgh on Thursday night and celebrated back in Miami with family
Mendoza was widely expected to be taken first by the Raiders as they embark on a new era with a new head coach in Klint Kubiak and a new quarterback.
It continued a remarkable year for Mendoza after he inspired the Indiana Hoosiers to national championship glory back in January to cap off a stunning final season in college football.
Mendoza was the fifth No. 1 pick in the last nine in-person drafts – 2020 was held virtually – to skip the spectacle and celebrate privately with family and friends. Travon Walker, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett were the others.
The poised and polished Mendoza will now get a chance to learn from part-owner Brady but will first have to battle Kirk Cousins for the starting spot after the veteran quarterback signed with the Raiders earlier this offseason.