Lil Wayne Challenges Fernando Mendoza’s Hype While Dan Orlovsky Questions Fit with Raiders

Fernando Mendoza is touted as the surefire No. 1 pick, which means the Las Vegas Raiders will select him in this year's draft.

Lil Wayne Challenges Fernando Mendoza’s Hype While Dan Orlovsky Questions Fit with Raiders

Lil Wayne and Fernando Mendoza (Image via Barstool Sports/Locksmiths/X)

In Short
  • Fernando Mendoza is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after leading Indiana to its first football championship.
  • Lil Wayne expressed skepticism about Mendoza's abilities, attributing the Hoosiers' success more to coaching than to the quarterback.
  • Dan Orlovsky believes Mendoza may struggle with the Raiders' system due to limited experience taking snaps under center.

With less than three weeks to go for the 2026 NFL Draft, top quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza is preparing himself for life as possibly the No. 1 overall pick.

The 22-year-old cemented himself as the top prospect after his stellar performances for the Indiana Hoosiers’ football team on their way to the CFP National Championship.

Leading the university to its only football championship, along with the Heisman trophy, should be enough for the Las Vegas Raiders to pull the trigger on him.

With reports that GM John Spytek was left impressed with the Boston native’s approach and performances at the Indiana Pro Day, it looks more and more likely that Mendoza will wear silver and black in the 2026 season.

The rookie will be in the perfect spot, learning not just from the great Tom Brady but also from a certain Kirk Cousins, who just signed with the franchise on a one-year deal. However, some believe the Raiders should exercise caution.

I think he’s nice. But I also just want people to remember, though, let’s not forget that’s Curt Cignetti… What Mendoza was doing last year?… Don’t put all them eggs in a basket that fast.

Lil Wayne said on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward podcast

The multiple-time Grammy Award-winner pointed out that the Hoosiers winning their first national championship was more a result of Curt Cignetti‘s coaching and recruiting than the quarterback.

In fact, he wondered why Fernando Mendoza was a nobody before he played for Cignetti. Essentially, Lil Wayne was hoping those thinking of drafting him would rethink their stance, as the 6’5″ signal caller might not be as good as advertised.

Dan Orlovsky reiterates Fernando Mendoza is not a right fit for the Raiders

Lil Wayne was not just speaking out of the blue when talking to Pittsburgh Steelers star Cam Heyward on the Not Just Football podcast. The defensive tackle knows that the rapper has a lot of football knowledge.

The Green Bay Packers’ superfan may know a lot about the sport, but he cannot talk about certain aspects that someone like Dan Orlovsky can. The latter is known for his technical analysis, and thus continued to reiterate his observations about Fernando Mendoza.

Completely different world. If we are being honest,… Ty Simpson, schematically, is a better fit or marriage for what the Las Vegas Raiders would do under Klint Kubiak than Fernando Mendoza.

Orlovsky said on Get Up

Even though the former Detroit Lions QB received a lot of backlash for his criticism of the Hoosiers’ star, Orlovsky brought up technical analysis to prove his point.

He pointed out how new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has, for 50% of the snaps he has coached, asked his quarterbacks to receive the ball from under center.

Mendoza has taken five total snaps from under center in his college career. On that note, he believes that the Indiana star will struggle, and that is why he prefers Ty Simpson to the Raiders.

Dan Orlovsky believes Raiders will have to be patient with Fernando Mendoza

Dan Orlovsky has been facing questions about his integrity while promoting Ty Simpson over Fernando Mendoza as the better pick for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fernando Mendoza at the Indiana Pro Day
Mendoza at the Indiana Pro Day (Image via NBNN/X)

However, he too knows that in all probability, the latter will be the one going No. 1 overall. The rest of the tape at least shows traits and maturity that are something the beleaguered franchise could do with.

It’s going to take time in LV.

Orlovsky wrote on X

This means he predicts the Raiders to play the waiting game with the No. 1 prospect. Transitioning from playing most of his career in the shotgun formation to receiving snaps under center is something that will take time for anyone to adjust.

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