FernandoMendoza

News: 6 days agoMendoza did not see the field for the Raiders' 30-27 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Spin: Mendoza spent all of Sunday's game on the sidelines while Kirk Cousins took every snap under center, with the veteran quarterback completing 31 of 52 passes for 365 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Even with the loss, the Raiders are off to a 3-1 start to the season, so Mendoza is unlikely to see playing time unless Cousins were to miss time or Las Vegas' 2026 campaign takes a turn for the worse.

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.