FernandoMendoza

News: 1 hour agoMendoza will take over as the Raiders' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game versus the Seahawks after Las Vegas traded Kirk Cousins to Minnesota on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Spin: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has opened his professional career on the bench, with his lone action to date coming during a garbage time of a blowout loss to the Patriots in Week 5. However, with the 4-5 Raiders shipping out Cousins for a 2027 third-round pick, the 23-year-old Mendoza will now be thrust into his first extended NFL playing time and will face a pair of tough defenses off the bat, as he'll follow up the matchup against the Seahawks with a road game in Denver in Week 11. Mendoza had underwhelming numbers over his three preseason appearances (25-for-45 passing for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with four carries for 15 yards), but he's reportedly been "tearing it up in practice" during the regular season and has given the Raiders optimism that he's ready to lead the offense, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

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.