NFL 2026: Mendoza and Love lead the first impressions of first-round rookies
Fernando Mendoza and Jeremiyah Love stand out in OTAs, while other first-round recruits show lights and shadows in their first steps with their teams.
Fernando Mendoza arrived in Las Vegas with an accelerated learning curve and is already making his mark on the Raiders' OTAs. The receiver, selected in the first round of the 2026 Draft, has absorbed the offensive system with a speed that surprises coaches, according to internal reports. Mendoza, who signed with the number 12 in his class, has worked closely with veterans like Davante Adams to polish technical details, especially in routes and timing with the quarterback.
