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Fernando Mendoza, the top overall selection in the 2024 draft, made his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night but could not prevent a 27-14 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. The Heisman Trophy winner engineered one touchdown drive across four series and completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech. Mendoza also nearly connected on a second score in the fourth quarter when he threw beyond Deven Thompkins’ reach.
Mendoza’s touchdown pass marked a significant milestone: he became the first top overall draft pick to throw a touchdown in his initial preseason game since 2018, when Baker Mayfield accomplished the feat with two scores against the New York Giants. The young quarterback demonstrated accuracy on several plays, threading a 19-yard completion between three defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson in the second quarter. His performance came despite missing the chance to face Carson Beck, whose Arizona team had defeated Mendoza’s Indiana squad 27-21 in the college football national championship game in January.
Kirk Cousins led the Raiders’ starting offense in the opening series, completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a 13-yard touchdown to Michael Mayer. Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett matched that success, going 5 for 5 for 44 yards and a 7-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals (1-1) rested Beck due to sore ribs, while Las Vegas (1-0) held out pass rusher Maxx Crosby following January knee surgery.
Arizona’s offense proved dominant early, with Brissett and Gardner Minshew combining to complete 15 consecutive passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, establishing a 21-14 lead. The completion streak extended to 16 early in the second half before Minshew misfired on a rollout to the right. Cardinals third overall pick Jeremiyah Love made his preseason debut at running back with 58 yards on 11 carries.
The Raiders travel to Houston next Thursday, while the Cardinals host Dallas on August 22. Arizona second-round pick Chase Bisontis suffered a left knee injury early in the third quarter and did not return.
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