The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, and teams are already getting their rookies up to speed. For the 2026 class, it's been a whirlwind transition from college to the pros, and May is all about hitting the ground running.

This week, the Las Vegas Raiders kicked off their rookie minicamp, and all eyes are on No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The young quarterback is already facing his first major test at the professional level: adjusting to taking snaps from under center.

While Mendoza has taken snaps under center before, it wasn't a staple of his college game. During his 2025 season at Indiana, he operated almost exclusively from the shotgun—just 3% of his snaps came from under center. That's not unusual in today's college game, but it's a sharp contrast to what Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak likes to run.

Kubiak's offense is known for its balance. In 2025, his Seattle Seahawks offense took the majority of its snaps from under center, and the Raiders are expected to follow a similar blueprint in 2026. That means Mendoza will need to get comfortable with a more traditional drop-back style, fast.

But if any quarterback can make this transition smoothly, it's Mendoza. He's earned a reputation as one of the most coachable players in this draft class. Throughout his college career, he's adapted to multiple offensive systems and gained experience with a wide range of passing concepts that translate well to the NFL.

The big question isn't whether Mendoza can learn Kubiak's system—it's when he'll get the chance to show it on the field. Kubiak has been clear: the best quarterback coming out of training camp and the preseason will earn the starting job. Whether that's Mendoza or veteran Kirk Cousins remains to be seen.

In today's NFL, being able to operate from under center is non-negotiable for a franchise quarterback. And given Mendoza's draft status, it's likely he'll see the field sooner rather than later. With mandatory minicamps starting in late May and early June, he'll have plenty of time to adjust—both to the new footwork and the full playbook.

For Raiders fans, the development of their young quarterback is the story of the offseason. And for Mendoza, the first challenge is already here.