Jalen Nailor gushes about expected Raiders top pick QB Fernando Mendoza
New Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor raved about potentially catching passes from Indiana’s Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in 2026.
New Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor is fond of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza potentially being his next quarterback in 2026. Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Raiders on March 12. The 27-year-old played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2022-25.
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With that comes the overwhelming expectation that Las Vegas will select Mendoza — the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner — to kick off the draft.
On Thursday’s episode of the “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,” Nailor weighed in on potentially catching passes from Mendoza in 2026. ”The touch he has on his passes, you know, those accurate passes that he makes, it really pops out, and he’s a mobile quarterback,” Nailor said. “Like, he can get on the ground and he can run a little bit.
So, just to have those aspects of him as a quarterback. He’s on the taller end as well. So, seeing over the line won’t be an issue.