The 2026 NFL Draft is just a matter of days away. Should everything go ahead as proposed by national media, Fernando Mendoza will be made a Las Vegas Raider at the Draft later this month.Las Vegas Raiders fans have made it clear who they want as their quarterback in 2026GettyThe Indiana Hoosiers quarterback is a top of the positional group that is widely considered to be lacking in first-round options.Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the only other projected first-round option, but even he isn’t a lock to be called to the stage on Day 1.The Raiders 3-14 record earned them the first overall pick, and also resulted in the exodus of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith from the franchise.Las Vegas’ search for their franchise quarterback may be over when Mendoza steps onto the stage in Pittsburgh, as he has been continuously touted by scouts and analysts.Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna believes he may be the least hyped No. 1 pick in NFL history, and there is one man to blame for it.“You can blame Patrick Mahomes for the lack of fanfare around Fernando Mendoza,” McKenna wrote.McKenna believes Mahomes’ success as a dual-threat quarterback has stifled the hype around Mendoza, because he doesn’t ‘fit the mold’. “That’s not Mendoza. He’s more of a [Tom] Brady type – a pocket quarterback. (Mendoza’s style is most comparable to Detroit’s Jared Goff for longtime Falcons QB Matt Ryan),” McKenna added.“Make no mistake: Mendoza is deserving of that No.1 spot, but there seems to be a lack of fanfare around him.“I think it’s because everyone is so accustomed to dual-threat QB’s (Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence) going in that top spot.”Fox Sports’ Harry McKenna has blamed Patrick Mahomes for stifling the hype around Fernando MendozaGettyMendoza is more of a pocket passer, rather than a dual-threat QB like previous first overall picksGettyThe NFL has seen a dramatic rise in dual-threat quarterbacks.Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, rushed for just 1,123 yards in his 23-year career in the NFL.Mahomes has already doubled Brady’s figure having played 14-seasons less than Brady.But, Mendoza did prove effective on his feet when required, rushing for 276 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025 as he led Indiana to national championship glory.An NFL GM explained to McKenna that because Mendoza doesn’t fit the mold of a modern-day QB, scouts view him differently, resulting in less talk/hype.“[Mahomes] definitely inspired a lot of people to find a guy like that,” the unnamed GM told McKenna.Mendoza did still rush for 276 yards and seven touchdowns, but it’s not his forteGetty“I think everybody’s trying to kind of get away from the stationary quarterback — the traditional pocket quarterback — because of the way these defensive fronts are nowadays. “You have to have somebody that can move around the pocket, have feeling around the pocket, and then extend plays and create with their legs if need be.“So, yeah, I would say, in that breath, maybe [Mahomes] did change the mindset of some coaches and some evaluators.”One of Mendoza’s biggest plays on the ground came in the national championship, when he bounced off Miami’s defenders on fourth-and-four before leaping into the end zone to extend Miami’s lead.It may not have been as smooth and as pretty as a Mahomes rush, but it displayed grit and determination, something which Brady will want to see from his potential future starting quarterback.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.