Fernando Mendoza's secret weapon that could be key to the Raiders' rebuild

Fernando Mendoza hasn't taken a regular-season snap for the Las Vegas Raiders yet, but the No. 1 overall pick is already displaying a habit that could play a major role in his development.

Mendoza is an obsessive note-taker, and he doesn't just jot things down when he's in the film room. He prefers writing by hand, carefully recording lessons and information that he can revisit later.

It's a routine he's followed since high school, when he would sometimes skip lunch with his classmates to spend extra time with his head coach preparing for practice.

That dedication has followed him into the NFL. Raiders quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan has watched Mendoza document his progress and believes much of the young quarterback's confidence comes from the preparation behind his performance.

"[He] didn't have the neatest handwriting, but I appreciated him doing that. I said, 'Maybe you could type this next time,'" Raiders' quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan told ESPN.

"But he went through that process, and he's someone that I think a lot of his confidence comes from the preparation and the type of time and effort that he puts in."

Mendoza even once brought the notebook along to a private brunch with Tom Brady and Travis Scott, where the conversation covered leadership, accountability, business and football. Mendoza wrote down the lessons he heard so he could review them afterward.

That approach could prove particularly useful as he adjusts to life in the NFL.

Why Mendoza's preparation could pay off

The Raiders aren't rushing Mendoza into action. Head coach Klint Kubiak has named Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starter against the Miami Dolphins, meaning Mendoza will begin his NFL career watching from the sideline.

That decision is frustrating for some fans. The Raiders haven't had a highly drafted quarterback generate this much anticipation in years, and there'll naturally be excitement about seeing what Mendoza can do.

However, the organization appears to believe that patience is the better option.

Cousins brings extensive NFL experience and familiarity with Kubiak's offensive system, making him a logical choice while Mendoza continues learning.

Mendoza doesn't need to win immediately. He needs to understand the offense, adjust to the speed of professional football and build the confidence necessary to eventually take control of the franchise.

Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has also supported the decision to give Mendoza additional time. His message to fans was essentially that they've waited this long and can afford to wait a little longer.

That's where Mendoza's note-taking habit could become especially important. Every practice rep, meeting and conversation can provide another lesson, while reviewing those handwritten notes gives him an opportunity to reinforce what he's learned.

Research has suggested that handwriting notes can improve learning and recall when they're actively reviewed, which fits Mendoza's approach particularly well.

Mendoza's willingness to learn and continually evaluate himself gives the Raiders an encouraging foundation.