Fernando Mendoza knows he's got to work in one key aspect of his game

The Las Vegas Raiders clearly have a plan for Fernando Mendoza. They don't want to rush anything, which is why they spent big bucks to get Kirk Cousins.

Klint Kubiak's team has watched so many promising quarterbacks be ruined by getting thrown into the fire before they were ready.

As such, the Raiders want Mendoza to get used to the ebbs and flows of an NFL-style offense before giving him the keys to ignition.

Considering that, the reigning No. 1 pick revealed that he has to put in extensive work to get comfortable playing under center.

Fernando Mendoza needs to work on getting used to an NFL-style offense

“It’s the added footwork. Instead of being back there in shotgun, you really have to get back to make sure you get depth,” Mendoza told the media, per Ryan McFadden. “Still be on time, still decipher the defense. And with that, it’s really having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out out of there and powerful with having quick feet.”

Mendoza played mostly in the shotgun last season, and making that adjustment will be crucial to his development in the pros.

Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and Kubiak will have their hands full with their prized rookie, who's shown unmatched determination to get to work since his days with the Hoosiers.

“I think it’s going to be that repetition under center, getting those quicker feet, and just you can always be faster and more efficient in your reads and decisiveness,” Mendoza said.

At the end of the day, the Raiders haven't been a playoff-caliber team for years now, so what's another season?

Mendoza has the makings of a franchise player, and as such, they owe it to him and to the organization to cater to and develop him before putting that much weight on his shoulders.

He's not going to be the first rookie who has to adapt to a pro-style offense, and he definitely won't be the last.