FernandoMendoza

News: 11 hours 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 eventually work his way into the starting role if Cousins and/or the team struggled early, but instead Las Vegas is 3-0 and Cousins is tied for the NFL lead with nine touchdown passes. Mendoza is likely continue to learn on the sidelines barring an injury to Cousins or a dramatic downturn to the Raiders' success.

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.