Fernando Mendoza skips combine throws but still sparks Joe Burrow comparisons ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

The buzz around Fernando Mendoza grew louder at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Yet the Indiana quarterback did not throw a single pass during the on-field drills. His decision stunned many, but it did little to cool the draft hype building around him.

Instead, the discussion shifted to his numbers and tape. Analysts began placing Mendoza’s college production next to a popular name. That name was Joe Burrow, whose historic 2019 season at LSU set a modern standard for quarterback play.

Even without throwing at the combine on March 1, Fernando Mendoza remained one of the most discussed quarterbacks in Indianapolis. His final season at Indiana played a big role. The Hoosiers captured the national championship in Jan. 2026, and Mendoza’s performance throughout the season pushed him firmly onto NFL draft boards.

Advanced metrics explain much of the excitement. Data shared among draft analysts during the combine week showed Mendoza posting more than 72% accuracy from a clean pocket. He also produced a 7.6% big-time throw rate under pressure, along with an 18% pressure-to-sack rate. Scouts often link that last number to pocket awareness and decision-making.

Those figures drew quick comparisons with Joe Burrow’s popular 2019 campaign at LSU.

The star recorded 74. 5% clean-pocket accuracy, 59. 5% deep accuracy, and a 9. 3% big-time throw rate under pressure before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

No one inside scouting circles claims Mendoza will recreate that season. Still, being mentioned alongside Burrow immediately raises a quarterback’s profile. Not only Burrow but Mendoza is also compared to Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Stroud, Bo Nix and Baker Mayfield.

The combine also produced another key storyline. The Las Vegas Raiders, who currently hold the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, spent time with Mendoza during formal interviews in Indianapolis. Those meetings usually include film breakdowns and whiteboard sessions with coaches.

Mendoza later spoke about the discussion with reporters at the combine. “I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza said during the media session in Indianapolis. “We went over some of my previous plays and did some work on the board.”

The Raiders angle carries extra intrigue. Mendoza has long spoken about his admiration for Tom Brady, who joined the franchise’s ownership group in recent years.

“Who hasn’t admired Tom Brady?” Mendoza told reporters at the same combine interview. “More Super Bowl rings than anybody. Learning from someone like that would mean a lot.”

Draft projections still vary. Some analysts rate Mendoza as a high-end starter rather than a clear No. 1 pick. However, pro days and private workouts through March could quickly change that outlook. For now, Fernando Mendoza remains one of the most fascinating names in the 2026 draft class.