Overview

Position: QB

College: Indiana

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 6’4 3/4”

Weight: 236 lbs.

Arm length: 31 7/8″

Hand size: 9 1/2″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Prototype size. Stands tall in the pocket with a repeatable throwing motion. Release can get high to throw over defenders. Takes heat off throws to make them more catchable but still generates zip. Very good overall velocity. Throws a very catchable ball in general. Plenty of arm strength to make throws deep down the sideline from the opposite hash. Quick release. Looks stiff throwing at times but the ball always gets there on time and with velocity. Pinpoint accuracy on out routes. On the money on further throws to out-breaking targets. Excellent back-shoulder ball. Natural feel to pull receivers back on throws along the boundary with coverage over the top. Exceptional ball placement to the outside shoulder on deep comebacks. Gives his guys a chance to make plays in single coverage. Great reading deep coverage and attacking downfield. Terrific timing and accuracy attacking between the hashes down the field. Tremendous ability to take shots in the deep middle of the field. Hits targets in stride and on the facemask throwing down the seam. Excellent accuracy throwing into the end zone. Puts just enough arc/touch to layer throws in scoring territory. Confident making throws with defenders underneath in general. Very accurate on slants. Plenty of experience on RPOs. Decisive and accurate on hitches. Consistently gets to his backside checkdown after working his progressions. Accurate hitting running backs in the flat. Good feel for throwing as a target works into a window on underneath stop routes. Hits targets on the numbers or out in front on screen passes. Very good mobility. Keeps two hands on the ball while escaping the pocket. Outstanding accuracy rolling out to hit moving targets in stride. Accurate throwing on the run in either direction. Impressive accuracy getting hit while throwing off platform. Shows he can deliver accurate throws down the field when fading away. Effectively getting the ball out late when it looks like he’ll run. Used on zone reads. Impressive speed when he gets rolling. Sees open space up the middle and will take advantage as a runner. Senses lanes opening up to take off. Good strength and elusiveness as a runner. Impressive vision and instincts. Shows toughness and courage leaving his feet to finish runs near the end zone.

 

Weaknesses

Often won’t pull the trigger on open in-breaking routes at the intermediate level. Will look away or start scrambling when an in-breaking route is about to come open. Could be slightly more anticipatory reading coverage and getting the ball out earlier. Might benefit from slightly more touch/loft to make additional throws. Sometimes gets happy feet in the pocket rather than working through progressions. Accuracy is inconsistent when throwing from the pocket with pressure closing in. Made some questionable throws from the pocket when pressured. Would like to see him get rid of the ball instead of taking a sack at times. Needs to locate aggressive safeties coming down on RPOs. Less elusive before he gets going as a runner.

 

NFL comparison

Daniel Jones

 

Conclusion

Overall, Mendoza is a prototype quarterback with tremendous success throwing down the field and on the boundary. If he’s protected by a top offensive line and improves on some of the holes in his game, Mendoza can develop into a franchise signal-caller.

 

Big Board ranking: #19 | Positional ranking: #2