The closer the NFL draft gets, the louder the questions and arguments get.

And it’s not just Player A vs. Player B, or if a team should stay put or move down in the draft.

Sometimes the questions have to do with individual players and what attributes prospective teams should be focused on.

WE SAW IT COMING: NFL draft prospects from Florida: Our evaluations from high school days

Are Rueben Bain Jr.’s arms too short to be a true impact edge rusher? Should the fact that Akheem Mesidor will be a 25-year-old rookie matter?

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesOhio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesIndiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesGeorgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesCarson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football PlayoffDec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesFlorida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images1 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images3 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.4 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)5 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images6 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.7 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images8 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images9 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.10 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images11 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff12 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images13 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]14 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesWith the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the USA TODAY Florida Network is looking at questions concerning players from Florida high schools.

Background: The 6-foot-4¾, 236-pound Mendoza graduated from Cristopher Columbus High School in Miami. A three-star recruit in the 2022 class, Mendoza was ranked the 250th recruit in the state by 247Sports. He since won the Heisman Trophy, Associated Press Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Maxwell Award in 2025 when he led Indiana to its first national championship.

Most likely landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders (No. 1)

It's not every year that there's an undisputed No. 1 pick before the draft begins, but that's what we have this April. Mendoza is the clear choice for a quarterback-needy Raiders squad. His body of work in 2025 was so impressive. He has a strong enough arm to make all the throws, his accuracy is outstanding — he completed 72 percent of his passes and threw just six interceptions in 2025 — and his is mature beyond his years. Mendoza has the required toughness to take hits early on and keep getting up and performing. Mendoza's mental makeup will allow him to make the necessary adjustments both on and off the field that will allow him to have early success.

No matter how good Mendoza was in 2025, it's still a big jump from college football to the NFL. Everything will be faster and there will be growing pains, just like there was for Cam Ward as the top pick in the 2025 draft. Signing Kirk Cousins as a free agent means the Raiders can bring Mendoza along slowly, possibly working him into the game plan in certain spots without putting too much on him all at once. Considering the Raiders have also have a rookie head coach in Klint Kubiak, maybe it will be best for Las Vegas to have a veteran under center — at least to start the season.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fernando Mendoza starting for Raiders after 2026 NFL Draft?