Fernando Mendoza surprises with a 10-yard touchdown run on his first drive

A surprising first score

Mendoza led the Raiders to a touchdown on his first drive. Rather than throwing a pass to tight end Brock Bowers, he sprinted into the end zone for a 10-yard score, giving Las Vegas a 7-0 lead.

The 23-year-old is 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 pounds. His first career touchdown came on the ground, contrary to what many might have expected from a quarterback widely described as a pocket passer.

Scouting reports questioned mobility

Before the draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein described Mendoza as big and tough, but said he moved around the pocket with heavy feet and limited escape ability. Zierlein also warned that this could expose him to frequent hits and said strong pass protection would be essential.

The touchdown offered a counterpoint to those concerns. Mendoza is not considered a running quarterback, but he can evade pressure and use his legs in short-yardage situations.

Raiders likely to limit runs

The Raiders are unlikely to call Mendoza's number often as a runner. The account says the team wants him to have a long and successful NFL career, making regular exposure to hits something it will seek to avoid.