FernandoMendoza

News: 2 days agoMendoza did not play in the Raiders' 35-27 Week 3 win over the Saints.

Spin: Kirk Cousins again took every snap under center for Las Vegas in the high-scoring victory. There was some thought before the start of the season that Mendoza could work his way into the starting role quickly if Cousins or the team struggled, but instead Las Vegas is 3-0 and the veteran QB is tied for the NFL lead with nine touchdown passes. Mendoza will continue to learn on the sidelines until Cousins slows down, but the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is still expected to get his chance before the season is over.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Mendoza was selected by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, Mendoza is a big, pocket quarterback with elite accuracy (his career 7.1% off-target rate is easily the best in this rookie class) and a solid arm. Mendoza's 2025 campaign at Indiana included class-best marks in passing TDs (41) and QBR (90.3). He posted a 65-440-7 rushing line in 16 games last season and figures to add some value with his legs in the pros. Mendoza will get some run as a rookie, but his supporting cast isn't overly impressive and he will not start in Week 1 (Kirk Cousins will get the call), so there's not much sense in drafting him in most formats. He'll be worth a speculative add only when he's named Las Vegas' starter.